Though Hockey India (HI) is awaiting a government advisory, Pakistan's participation in this year’s Hero Asia Cup hockey tournament in India is in serious doubt because of the prevalent tension between the two countries after the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Asia Cup will be staged in Rajgir, Bihar from August 27 to September 7. Hosts India, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Oman and Chinese Taipei are scheduled to participate in the 12th edition of the continental showpiece, a qualifying tournament for next year’s World Cup to be held in Netherlands and Belgium.
“It is too early to say anything, but we will follow the government's directive on this issue, which has been the case in the past,” HI secretary general Bholanath Singh said.
“We can’t predict anything right now, especially after the recent Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor thereafter. While we still have three months for the tournament to go, we will abide by what our government tells us. There are no two ways about it,” said Bholanath.
“If the government advisory does not give the go-ahead, Pakistan won’t travel to India. It all depends on the government position at that time,” said a federation official.
In case Pakistan doesn't get the nod to travel to India, the decision to make the tournament a seven-team affair or bring in a new team to fill the vacant slot will be entirely up to the Asian Hockey Federation.
“It’s very hard to predict right now whether a new team will be added in such a scenario or it will be a seven-team tournament. The Asian Hockey Federation will take a call on this,” the official said.
The last time Pakistan’s hockey team did not compete in a multi-nation event in India was the 2016 Junior World Cup, which took place a few months after a terror attack on the Pathankot airbase. Malaysia had replaced Pakistan in that event.
The current scenario has also put a question mark on Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming Junior World Cup to be held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10.
The Asia Cup assumes high significance as it is a World Cup qualifier with the winner earning a direct spot in next year’s World Cup, which will be held in the Belgian city of Wavre and Amstelveen, Netherlands from August 14 to 30. Five-time winners South Korea are the defending Asian champions with both India and Pakistan seeking their fourth Asia Cup title.
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