New Delhi: Pakistan hockey team will not be stopped from participating in next month’s Asia Cup in India, according to government sources. News agency PTI has learnt through a source in the ministry that Pakistan would not be stopped from competing in a muti-national competition in the country though keeping the the ties closed when it comes to the bilateral tour.
It is further mentioned that international sports demands that India cannot back out from competing because of the spoiled socio-political relations with neighbours Pakistan. Giving the reference of some nations which are at war, it added that Russia and Ukraine are at war from a long time but they show up at muti-national sporting events.
STORY | Pakistan hockey team won’t be stopped from competing in Asia Cup next month: Ministry source
READ: https://t.co/YHs43tDwLc pic.twitter.com/Qhum1vZvp6
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 3, 2025
Pakistan to show up at Asia Cup
‘We are not against any team competing in India in a multi-national competition. But bilateral is different, the source said. International sports demands that we cannot back out from competing. Russia and Ukraine are at war but they show up at multi-national events,’ he added.
The Asia Cup hockey tournament is scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 27 to September 7. The 10-day long hockey competition will witness participation from all the Asian nations.
The source was also asked whether India will be allowed to play against Pakistan in the cricket Asia Cup in the September to which he said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to reach out to the government on this and an appropriate call would be taken at that time.
Earlier, Pakistan’s participation in the muti-nation event was uncertain but after clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, it has been decided that they will travel to India for the event.