India backs down, allows Pakistan team in Asia Cup

Karachi: Pakistan’s hockey team has received official clearance from India to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup Hockey Tournament, scheduled to be held next month.

According to Indian media, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs have granted permission for the Pakistani team to take part in the tournament, making Pakistan’s participation certain.

Sources in the Indian Ministry of Sports confirmed the development and stated that preventing any country from participating in an international tournament would be a violation of the Olympic Charter.

The Indian Sports Ministry emphasized that it is not against Pakistan and India competing in international tournaments. It stated that such competitions require both nations to take part and not back out.

Despite political tensions, countries continue to participate in events — just as Russia and Ukraine have done amid their conflict — and the same principle applies here. The ministry clarified that Pakistan’s hockey team will not be barred from participating in the Asia Cup.

On the other hand, Hockey India has welcomed the government's decision. Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh said that from the beginning, their stance has been to follow whatever decision the government makes.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation has already made it clear that the national team will only participate in the Asia Cup if granted permission by the Government of Pakistan.

It is worth noting that the Asia Cup Hockey Tournament will be held from August 27 to September 7 in Rajgir, a city in the Indian state of Bihar.

Following the Asia Cup, India will also host the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup from November 28 to December 10, which will be held in Chennai and Madurai.