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Asian Champions Trophy: Pakistan hockey refuses to play in India, seeks neutral venue
Pakistan have asked the Asian Hockey Federation to shift the Asian Champions Trophy from India or allow them to play their matches at a neutral venue. The decision from Pakistan comes just days after Punjab Chief Minister said that the men in green to play in Mohali and Jalandhar during the tournament.
Pakistan hockey has asked the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to either move the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy outside of India or let them play their matches with India at a neutral venue. Mohali is scheduled to host the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy from October 27.
Pakistan Hockey Federation president Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani said in an official statement that the federation has approached the Asian Hockey Federation with a request to either move the 2026 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy to another location or have all of Pakistan’s matches played at a neutral venue. The statement said that the decision was made after looking into the current sensitive relation between both countries and to ensure a safe environment for the Pakistan players and staff.
"This decision has been made in light of the current sensitive bilateral situation and security conditions between Pakistan and India, ensuring a safe, dignified, and conducive environment for our national players and officials."
"Pakistan remains fully committed to the Asian Champions Trophy and the global promotion of hockey. We are prepared to play against all FIH member nations, including India, and stand firmly by the principle of keeping sports separate from politics."
"We strongly hope that the Asian Hockey Federation will favorably consider our honorable proposal for a neutral venue to ensure Pakistan's uninterrupted and full participation," read the statement from Pakistan hockey.
The announcement from Pakistan hockey comes just days after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the team will play the Asian Champions Trophy from October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali.
"There is no problem in multinational tournaments. Maybe individual series (India and Pakistan) cannot take place," Mann said when asked about Pakistan's participation and whether the requisite clearances have been taken for it.
India's sports policy does not permit bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan. The position came into focus following the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed, and India's subsequent military operation against Pakistan the following year.
At the same time, the Sports Ministry has maintained that the Olympic Charter allows Indian and Pakistani athletes to compete against each other in multilateral competitions. As a result, athletes from Pakistan would not be barred from entering India when they are participating in such events.
Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, who attended Monday's event, spoke about the cordial ties between the two countries' hockey governing bodies before highlighting the mutual respect shared by the players.
"I want to say this on record that we share very good relations between the hockey federations of India and Pakistan.
"You must have noticed that whenever I go, if the Indian team defeats Pakistan, I meet the Pakistani team first. The boys (players) there also show immense respect," said Singh.
The Asian Champions Trophy was set to feature India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea.
PAKISTAN'S THIRD PULL OUT FROM TOURNAMENT IN INDIA
This will be the third time that Pakistan will be pulling out of a tournament in India. Last year, they skipped the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 which was held in Rajgir, Bihar and then followed to do the same ahead of the Jr. men's hockey World Cup in Tamil Nadu.
Two reserve teams, Oman and Bangladesh, were announced for the tournament in case of any pullout. Bangladesh replaced Pakistan during the Asia Cup last year while Oman took their place during the Jr. men's hockey World Cup.
India and Pakistan did square off against each other during the recent men's hockey World Cup where it was the former who came out on top with a scoreline of 5-3.