Karachi, July 11 (PTI) – Pakistan is poised to evaluate the security conditions in India before making a decision on whether to send its national hockey team to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup and Junior World Cup scheduled for later this year. A senior government official emphasized that the team will not be dispatched to India if there are any perceived security threats.
Rana Mashood, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Development and Sports Program, stated that Pakistan would only proceed with travel to India for the tournaments if the government is completely assured of the security situation. “The government will review the security environment in India for Pakistani nationals, and if it is not confident, it will not risk the safety of our players by sending them to India,” said Mashood, a former minister.
Mashood highlighted that following India’s Operation Sindoor, the circumstances are not favorable for Pakistani nationals visiting India. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has reached out for guidance and permission from relevant ministries regarding sending the national teams to these significant hockey events in India, with the Asia Cup next month also serving as a qualifier for the 2026 World Cup.
Rana Mujahid, Secretary-General of PHF, acknowledged that Pakistan has participated in international events in India in the past. “However, the current situation differs as relations are tense, so we will only proceed when we receive government clearance,” he explained.
He noted that PHF is monitoring threats directed at hockey team players on social media.
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