Key Takeaways
- Pakistan’s participation in the Asian Champions Trophy depends on government clearance.
- The tournament, set to be held in India from October 27 to November 5, will feature six teams.
- The PHF President stated that the federation will follow the government’s decision.
Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in India from October 27 to November 5, is contingent upon government approval, according to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President, Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani.
Wani, who also serves as the federal secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, emphasized that the PHF will adhere to the government’s directives regarding the national team’s participation.
In a statement, Wani stated, 'The visit of the Pakistan team will depend on government clearance. We will do whatever the government asks us to do.'
The tournament, organized under the Asian Hockey Federation, will feature India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea. League matches will be played in Jalandhar, while the semifinals and final will take place in Mohali.
Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had previously stated that Pakistan would be among the six teams participating in the tournament. However, Wani clarified that Mann’s statement does not affect the PHF’s position.
India’s sports policy generally bars bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan amid ongoing tensions between the two countries. However, India’s Sports Ministry allows participation in multilateral tournaments in line with the Olympic Charter.
Pakistan withdrew from the Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu last year, citing heightened tensions between the two countries. The PHF President’s statement suggests that the government’s decision will be crucial for the team’s participation in the upcoming tournament.
The tournament will begin in Jalandhar on October 27 and conclude with the final in Mohali on November 5. The Indian Sports Ministry has expressed its willingness to host the event, with Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh describing relations between the two hockey federations as 'excellent'.
The visit of the Pakistan team will depend on government clearance. We will do whatever the government asks us to do.
Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, PHF President and federal secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination
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