Pakistan Requests Neutral Venue for Asian Hockey Champions Trophy Matches
In a recent development, the Pakistan Hockey Federation has formally requested the Asian Hockey Federation to either relocate the upcoming Asian Hockey Champions Trophy away from India or to allow Pakistan to play its matches against India at a neutral venue. The tournament is set to be held in Mohali from October 27.
Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, the president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, stated that the request stems from concerns over the current delicate relationship between Pakistan and India. The federation aims to ensure the safety of its players and staff during the tournament. “Our decision is based on the current sensitive bilateral situation and security conditions, as we want to ensure a safe and respectful environment for our national players and officials,” he said.
Wani emphasized Pakistan’s enthusiasm for participating in the Asian Champions Trophy and its commitment to promoting hockey globally. “We are ready to compete against all member nations of the International Hockey Federation, including India, and we firmly believe in keeping sports separate from politics,” he noted.
The federation expressed hope that the Asian Hockey Federation will consider their proposal for a neutral venue, enabling Pakistan’s uninterrupted participation in the tournament.
This request comes shortly after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed that the Asian Champions Trophy will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. When questioned about Pakistan’s involvement, Mann stated that there were no issues with multinational tournaments but acknowledged that individual series between India and Pakistan might face challenges.
Under current Indian sports policy, bilateral sports engagements with Pakistan are generally not allowed. This policy gained attention following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in multiple casualties, and India’s subsequent military response. However, the Sports Ministry clarified that the Olympic Charter permits competitors from both nations to participate in multilateral competitions, so Pakistani athletes would not be banned from entering India for such events.
Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, discussed the positive relationship between the hockey federations of India and Pakistan, emphasizing mutual respect among players. “I want to highlight that we maintain very good relations between our hockey federations,” Singh stated. He also noted that after matches, regardless of the outcome, members of the Indian team show respect to their Pakistani counterparts.
The Asian Champions Trophy will feature several teams, including India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea.
Pakistan’s History of Withdrawing from Tournaments in India
If they decide not to participate, this would mark the third time Pakistan has withdrawn from a tournament in India. Previously, they skipped the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir, Bihar, and also pulled out of the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup in Tamil Nadu. In case of withdrawal, reserve teams from Oman and Bangladesh are prepared to step in, as seen in previous circumstances where Bangladesh replaced Pakistan in the Asia Cup last year, and Oman filled in during the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup.
In their last encounter during the men’s hockey World Cup, India emerged victorious against Pakistan with a score of 5-3.
