ISLAMABAD – July 12, 2025: Pakistan has officially withdrawn from two upcoming international hockey tournaments in India, citing security concerns in the aftermath of a deadly four-day conflict between the two nations in May.
The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) confirmed that the government has denied permission for the national men’s and junior hockey teams to travel to India, despite the Indian government granting clearance for Pakistan’s participation.
As a result, Pakistan will not take part in the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup, scheduled from August 27 to September 7 in Rajgir, Bihar, and the Junior Hockey World Cup, due to be held in Chennai and Madurai later this year.
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A senior official from the IPC said the decision was made after reviewing recent hostilities and assessing the risk to players and staff.
“Given the current regional situation and the security threats involved, it is not safe to send our players to India. The safety of our athletes comes first,” the official stated.
The withdrawal could jeopardize Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium. The Asia Cup is one of the key qualifying tournaments for the global event.
Despite approval from the Indian Ministries of Sports, Home Affairs, and External Affairs under the Olympic Charter, Pakistan’s final go-ahead depended on clearance from its own government, which was not granted.
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The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had earlier expressed willingness to participate and had even considered asking for the events to be moved to a neutral venue, but without state approval, participation was not possible.
This development follows heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after a military standoff in May that resulted in over 70 fatalities and a ceasefire only reached in mid-May. The political fallout from the conflict has once again spilled over into the sports arena.
The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) have not issued an official statement yet regarding the consequences of Pakistan’s withdrawal or whether a replacement will be invited.
This marks another setback for Indo-Pak sporting relations, which have remained largely frozen since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. With hockey ties now strained, the path ahead for regional sports cooperation looks uncertain.
