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Pakistan has pulled out of the Junior Hockey World Cup which will be hosted by India later this year. International Hockey Federation (FIH) will reportedly soon announce the replacement team for the November 28-December 28 event, to be held in Chennai and Madurai.
Pakistan withdraws from the Junior Hockey World Cup
PTI reported that Pakistan have pulled out of the tournament and the replacement will be announced soon.
"We can confirm that the Pakistan Hockey Federation has notified the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that its team initially qualified for the upcoming FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 won't participate eventually," FIH said in a statement released to PTI.
"The team replacing Pakistan for this event will be announced soon," the statement added.
Pakistan and India were placed in same group
Pakistan were part of Group B alongside India, Chile, and Switzerland, and there is uncertainty over which team replaces them. This is the second event in India that Pakistan has pulled out from after the men's Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, held from August 29 to September 7 this year.
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The sporting relations between India and Pakistan have deteriorated since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India's response as Operation Sindoor to counter the cross-border terrorism. The Indian government recently announced a new policy under which it will not engage in bilateral sporting contests with Pakistan but will continue to compete against them in multi-nation tournaments.
Hockey India on Pakistan's withdrawal
The news agency quoted that Hockey India has no clue about Pakistan's withdrawal.
"We have no information from FIH that Pakistan has withdrawn. I had a conversation with Pakistan Hockey Federation officials a month-and-a half-back, and they had confirmed their participation," HI secretary general Bholanth Singh told PTI.
"What transpired after that I have no knowledge. Our duty is to conduct the best tournament as hosts and hope India wins the title. It is now upto FIH to announce a replacement for Pakistan."
Pakistan wants a neutral venue
While FIH are looking for a replacement team, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has expressed willingness to compete in the tournament at a neutral venue. PHB Secretary General Rana Mujahid said that it had been decided in principle that the national junior team would not travel to India due to the existing tensions between the two countries, and it was conveyed to the FIH.
"We have, at the same time, urged the FIH to arrange for a neutral venue to allow us to participate and play our matches in the Junior World Cup as missing out on major events because they are being held in India is hurting our hockey and not helping in the development of our players," the Olympian said in Lahore.
"We have told the FIH how do they expect us to go and play in India when their athletes are not even willing to shake hands in different sports even at neutral venues. FIH says all the events were awarded to India well before the conflict so no one anticipated such a situation," Rana added.
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