Daijiworld Media Network - Rajgir
Rajgir, Aug 30: In a significant development for Indo-Pak sports relations, Pakistan has confirmed participation in the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup 2025, to be held in Chennai and Madurai, despite having recently withdrawn from the Asia Cup citing security concerns.
Speaking to the media in Rajgir, Hockey India secretary General Bhola Nath Singh said that official communication from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) confirmed their junior team will travel to India for the tournament, scheduled from November 28 to December 10.
This announcement comes amid diplomatic and sporting tensions, particularly after Pakistan pulled out of the ongoing Asia Cup in Bihar’s Rajgir, citing safety issues. The withdrawal cast doubt on their participation in the Junior World Cup, where they are drawn in Pool B with India, Chile, and Switzerland.
Hockey India President Dilip Kumar Tirkey had earlier acknowledged Pakistan’s withdrawal from the Asia Cup, but efforts to keep them in the loop for the World Cup continued behind the scenes.
Former Indian hockey great Aslam Sher Khan had criticized Pakistan’s absence in the Asia Cup, saying there was “nothing to be afraid of” in India and emphasizing the country’s strong cultural and sporting hospitality.
Policy Shift Encourages Participation
India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) recently introduced new guidelines on cross-border sporting events involving Pakistan. According to the revised policy:
• Indian teams can participate in events where Pakistani players are also present, provided the competition is held in a neutral or Indian venue.
• India will not take part in any sports events held in Pakistan or in bilateral competitions between the two nations.
• The visa process has been simplified for sportspersons, officials, and international sports bodies, with clearances extended for up to five years
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The decision to ease the visa policy is expected to facilitate smoother participation in international tournaments hosted in India — even when geopolitical tensions exist.
Background Tensions
India-Pakistan sporting relations have remained strained, especially after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists. This incident had further dampened cross-border interactions, including in sports.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan's commitment to send its junior hockey team is seen as a positive gesture for international sports diplomacy and a key step towards ensuring the integrity and global character of the Junior Hockey World Cup.
The focus now shifts to the tournament preparations in Tamil Nadu, as India gets ready to host a prestigious global event with high-profile teams — including arch-rivals Pakistan — expected to clash on the turf.