New Delhi: Pakistan has decided not to send its national hockey team to India for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy, citing security concerns and calling for the tournament to be moved to another country.
The Asian Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held from October 27 to November 5 in Mohali and Jalandhar, with Pakistan and five other teams set to participate.
Pakistan Hockey Federation president Mohyuddin Wani said the decision had been communicated to the Asian Hockey Federation. The federation has requested that the tournament be relocated because of the sensitive situation between India and Pakistan.
Relations between the two neighbouring countries have remained strained for years, with bilateral sporting ties largely suspended following the 2008 Mumbai attacks. India has previously accused Pakistan based militant groups of involvement in the attacks.
The latest decision also follows heightened tensions between the two countries after a deadly four day conflict last year that followed an attack on tourists in Kashmir.
Pakistan had also withdrawn from the previous year’s Asia Cup hockey tournament in India, citing security concerns and tensions along the border.
The latest withdrawal means Pakistan will once again miss a major hockey competition hosted in India. The two countries have largely avoided playing bilateral series, although their teams continue to meet in multinational tournaments when permitted.
Pakistan last travelled to India for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy. The team finished fifth in the six team tournament.
The Asian Hockey Federation will now have to consider the request to relocate the competition or determine how Pakistan’s withdrawal will affect the tournament schedule and participating teams.