Pakistan hockey team allowed to travel to India for Men's Asia Cup

Despite political tensions, India grants clearance to the Pakistan hockey team for the Asia Cup tournament in Rajgir.

Pakistan men’s hockey team have been granted clearance by Indian authorities to participate in the upcoming Hockey Men’s Asia Cup 2025. The tournament will take place from August 27 to September 7 in Rajgir, Bihar.

Indian Sports Ministry officials confirmed the move on Thursday, following approvals from both the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs. “We are not against any team competing in India in a multinational competition. International sports demand that we cannot back out of competing. But bilaterals are different,” a government said.

The decision arrives amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor and cross-border incidents earlier this year. Despite political friction, the clearance allows Pakistan to participate in a critical World Cup qualifier, which reinforces India’s commitment to the Olympic Charter.

“We won’t be stopping them from participating in multinational tournaments India is hosting,” a source said (via Indian Express). “Stopping any nation from participating in international tournaments due to border conflicts violates the Olympic charter, and it is not a good representation of India. For instance, Russia and Ukraine are at war, but they show up at multinational events and compete as well. We are just following the standard norm.”

The development also opens doors for Pakistan’s participation in the Junior World Cup in November-December, scheduled in Chennai and Madurai. Both India and Pakistan are in the same group for that tournament.

Pakistan last played in India during the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, where they finished fifth among six teams, now, they will return for a tournament that not only decides regional supremacy but also qualification for the 2026 Hockey World Cup.

PHF (Pakistan Hockey Federation) had already committed to participation, stating its aim to “keep sports and politics separate.”

Meanwhile, Hockey India maintained a cautious stance. “We are hearing from the media, but we have always said we will abide by any decision from the government,” Hockey India secretary Bhola Nath Singh said (via The Hindu).

Bihar State Sports Authority CEO Raveendran Sankaran confirmed receiving the communication: “It’s good for the sport but doesn’t change anything for us.”

This clearance could also open the deck for Pakistan’s involvement in the upcoming shooting and para-athletics events in Delhi later this year.

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