Despite the tense situation between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan team will not be stopped from coming to India for the Hockey Asia Cup and Junior Hockey World Cup. A Sports Ministry source told news agency PTI that we are against bilateral series, but we will not stop any team from coming to India for the tournament. The ministry official said, “In international sports, teams participate despite tensions. Russia and Ukraine are playing tournaments despite war. The Hockey Asia Cup will be played in Rajgir, Bihar from 27 August to 7 September.”
On the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan cricket teams, the official said, ‘The BCCI has not yet spoken to the government about this. As soon as there is a discussion from the board, we will take a decision on Team India’s participation in the Asia Cup.’ The Pakistan Hockey Board has not yet issued any statement on whether or not to participate in the tournament, but it has also not distanced itself from the tournament, due to which it is believed that the team will come to India to play.
Hockey India’s Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh had said, it is too early to say whether the Pakistan team will come for the Asia Cup or not. The terrorist attack in Pahalgam and India’s Operation Sindoor happened only last month. So it is difficult to say anything at this time. We are waiting for peace to prevail. Whatever instructions the government gives, we will follow them.
Another official of Hockey India had said, ‘If the government refuses to give entry to Pakistan, then the tournament will be held without them. Everything depends on the decision of the government.’