Pakistan's hockey team to be allowed to compete at Asia Cup in India: Report

The Pakistani hockey team will be allowed to compete in next month's Asia Cup in India, a sports ministry source told PTI on Thursday.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the Sports Ministry. have provided approvals.

"We are not against any team competing in India in a multi-national competition. But bilateral is different. International sports demands that we cannot back out from competing. Russia and Ukraine are at war but they show up at multi-national events," the source said.


The tournament will be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 27 September 7.

On a query whether India will be allowed to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup of cricket in September, the source said, "The BCCI is yet to reach out on this. We will address this when they approach us."

India and Pakistan are expected to face each other during the Asia Cup and potentially again at the Junior World Cup later in the year, which is also set to be hosted in India.

If Pakistan confirms its return to the FIH Pro League, the two sides could once again meet in additional fixtures ahead of the Asian Games and the World Cup, provided both nations qualify.

India's ties with Pakistan deteriorated significantly following the Pahalgam terror attack in April. In reply, India revoked the Indus Water Treaty and later in May launched Operation Sindoor on May 7. The next three days saw a military escalation from both the countries before agreeing on a ceasefire on May 10.