Lahore (Sports Desk): Pakistan’s national hockey team faces uncertainty over its participation in the 2025 Asia Cup to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, India, from August 27 to September 7, as the Indian government has yet to issue a visa clearance.
The tournament serves as a qualifying event for the 2026 Hockey World Cup. Hockey India’s Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh stated that “any decision regarding Pakistan’s participation will follow the government’s directives, as national security is the top priority.”
In response, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has demanded a visa guarantee from the Asian Hockey Federation to ensure smooth participation. A senior PHF official said, “We cannot afford to miss this World Cup qualifier, so either we get a full visa guarantee or the event should be shifted from India.”
This is not the first time Pakistan has faced such a situation; in 2016, their junior team was also denied visas for the Junior World Cup in India. Rising tensions between the two nations, especially after the recent Pahalgam incident, have added to the uncertainty.
The Asia Cup will feature teams from India, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Oman, and Chinese Taipei. The tournament winner will directly qualify for the 2026 Hockey World Cup.
