The draw for the Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup on Saturday placed India and Pakistan together in the same Pool, but the latter’s participation remains doubtful. While the tournament is scheduled to be held in November-December, the Asia Cup in August-September will give a clearer indication of how things might pan out.
As a 2026 World Cup qualifying event, the Asia Cup in Rajgir holds importance for continental teams, but ongoing tensions between the two countries mean Pakistan is unlikely to travel to India. Although recent reports in Pakistan have claimed PHF officials saying they would be participating and are preparing accordingly, there is no confirmation from either the FIH, Asian Hockey Federation or Hockey India.
HI President Dilip Tirkey reiterated that they would follow government directives on the matter, and no alternate scenarios are being considered at the moment.
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“We are constantly in contact with the government and have apprised them of everything. We will follow whatever the government instructs, and cannot preempt anything at the moment. Once we get that, we will inform the AHF,” Tirkey told Sportstar.
Asked if the competition would proceed with the remaining seven teams or an alternative team would be invited to replace Pakistan if it doesn’t travel, Tirkey insisted it was up to the AHF.
“This is a continental meet, and AHF will be the right authority to take that call. But that is a hypothetical situation that we cannot comment on till there is any decision by the government,” he reiterated.
Interestingly, HI secretary general Bholanath Singh, in Laussane for the MJWC draw, is also an AHF vice-president. Any decision on allowing Pakistan to travel for the Asia Cup is likely to reflect on its chances of participation in the MJWC as well.