New Delhi: The Pakistan government is unlikely to allow the their hockey teams to travel to India for the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup this year. As per a report, the government is likely to turn down the request from the Hockey federation citing security concerns in the country for their players in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in April.
As per a report published in NDTV, which has quoted a report from news agency IANS, it it being learnt that the Shahbaz Sharif-led Pakistan government is set to turn down the request and instead appeal for a neutral venue for the events in the current year. In the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 26 civilians were killed in the tourist destination of Kashmir which was followed by socio-political tensions between both the nations which almost caused a war-like situation.
PAK not to send teams due to security threat
Earlier on Friday, it was reported by multiple media outlets that Pakistan would revive the security threats properly before sending their teams to the neighbouring nation with the Pakistan government playing a vital role in the decision making. But now it is being learnt that in no way, the government is in the mood of sending their teams because of the spoiled relations with India and also security threats for their players.
Pakistan is scheduled to participate in the Asia Cup to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 27 to September 7 and also in the FIH Junior World Cup to be played in Chennai in the November-December window.
The same report mentions a quote from a senior official that there is no chance that the Pakistan government will permit the national hockey team in this kind of situation and instead demand for relocation of events to a neutral venue like Malaysia or Oman.