Pakistan to decide on sending hockey team to India for Asia Cup, Junior World Cup post after reviewing security situation

Pakistan will review the security situation before taking a call on sending its national hockey team to India for the upcoming Asia Cup and the Junior World Cup later this year, PTI reported.

The report said that a top government official has said that the national team will not be sent to India if there are security threats to them.

Rana Mashood, who is the chairman of Prime Minister's Youth Development and Sports Program, said that Pakistan would travel to India for the tournaments only if the government was totally satisfied with the security situation.


"The government will review the security situation in India for Pakistani nationals and if it is not satisfied it will not put any of our players at risk by sending them to play in India," Mashood, a former minister said.

He said that the situation in India for Pakistani nationals is not safe following Operation Sindoor.

Furthermore, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has sought advice and permission from concerned ministries to send national teams for the two major tournaments scheduled in India. Next month's Asia Cup will also act as a qualifier for the next World Cup in 2026.

Rana Mujahid, the secretary-general of PHF, admitted that in the past Pakistan had taken part in some international events in India.

"But as of now the situation is different, relations are strained so we can only move forward when the government gives us clearance," he said.

He said that the PHF was keeping a watch on threats being issued to the hockey team players on social media.