Pakistan’s ‘sympathy strategy’ takes center stage, blocks Men in Green's Hockey teams from participating in Asia Cup 2025, Junior World Cup in India

Pakistan has reportedly blocked its national hockey teams from taking part in the Asia Cup and the Junior World Cup, which will be hosted by India, despite getting a go-ahead from the Indian government.

Pakistan are scheduled to take part in the Asia Cup, which will be hosted by Rajgir, Bihar, from August 27 to September 7, for which the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has sought the government’s clearance. The Men in Green are also supposed to participate in the FIH Junior World Cup, to be played in Chennai in November-December this year. However, as per the Pakistan media, there are reports that their government will not allow them to travel to India.

“There is no chance the Shahzab Sharif-led government will permit the national hockey team in this geo-political situation,” a senior official told Telecom Asia Sport.

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This is the second time that Pakistan has been denied travel to India. Earlier, Pakistan had done the same during the ODI World Cup 2023 but later they came and played all their league matches in India. Sources said members of the coalition government believe it will not be safe to send the team after the armed clashes between the two neighbours. Following a terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, India launched missile and drone strikes on Pakistan on May 7.

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Pakistan also responded with air strikes and drone attacks before the four-day conflict ended in a ceasefire.

Sources said after hearing an emphatic “No” from the government, the Pakistan Hockey Federation will demand that FIH and the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) relocate the events to a neutral venue like Malaysia or Oman.

“PHF will try to get the events out of India, but there are very slim chances of that coming about as Malaysia and Oman do not have the requisite money to bid for the events, which is close to 100K dollars,” said PHF sources.

Pakistan's hockey team last toured in India in the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, finishing fifth amongst six teams, with India winning the event. No untoward incident happened during the event. Recent reports from India suggested that the authorities were willing to allow Pakistan to feature in the hockey events. Hockey India had also said they have permission from the MEA and the Home Ministry.

But ever since the reports surfaced, the Indian media has launched scathing attacks on the permission, which has caused serious apprehensions in Pakistan.