Pakistan Likely to Skip Asia Cup Hockey in India Over Security Fears

News Desk

Islamabad: In a major blow to Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the Hockey World Cup, the national team is likely to miss the upcoming Asia Cup Hockey Championship in India, with government sources citing security concerns as the key reason.

Scheduled to be held in Bihar from August 29, the tournament could go ahead without Pakistan, as high-level deliberations within the federal government appear to be moving toward a final decision to withdraw the national side.

Sources within the Prime Minister’s Office told The News that the government has “decided in principle” not to send the team across the border, citing rising hostility and threats directed at the Pakistani squad amid a hostile media climate in India.

“The environment is simply not safe for our players,” a senior official said on condition of anonymity. “We had asked the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to wait and assess the situation, but the growing anti-Pakistan sentiment and explicit threats have made it too risky. The safety of our athletes is non-negotiable.”

Although an official notification has not yet been issued to the PHF, insiders suggest that the decision from the top levels of government is all but final. “We are aware of the consequences of skipping the Asia Cup, particularly in terms of World Cup qualification, but the security of the team comes first,” the official added.

The buildup to the tournament has been marred by hostile messages from Indian social media users, with many openly opposing Pakistan’s presence at the event. One user wrote, “No nationalist will accept it. The nation will react and it won’t be peaceful,” while another warned, “Letting Pakistan play here is playing with fire.”

The Asia Cup serves as a critical qualifier for the next Hockey World Cup, and Pakistan’s potential withdrawal would not only dent their qualification chances but also deepen the sporting disconnect between the two neighbours.