This marks the second withdrawal by Pakistan from a hockey event in India this year, following their absence from the Men’s Asia Cup held in Rajgir, Bihar, in September.
New Delhi: Pakistan has withdrawn from the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup, scheduled to be held in Tamil Nadu later this year, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed on Friday.
The tournament, set to take place between November 28 and December 28 across Chennai and Madurai, will now proceed without one of its key participants. FIH stated that a replacement team for Pakistan will be announced shortly.
Also Read
“We can confirm that the Pakistan Hockey Federation has notified the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that its team, which had initially qualified for the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, will not participate,” the FIH said in a statement released to PTI.
“The team replacing Pakistan for this event will be announced soon,” it added.
Pakistan had been drawn in Group B, alongside India, Chile and Switzerland. The FIH has not yet indicated which nation will take their place in the competition.
This marks the second withdrawal by Pakistan from a hockey event in India this year, following their absence from the Men’s Asia Cup held in Rajgir, Bihar, in September.
Bilateral tensions cast a shadow
Sporting relations between the two nations have continued to deteriorate following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor.
Under a recently announced policy, the Indian government has decided not to engage in bilateral sporting events with Pakistan, though competition in multilateral tournaments will continue. The growing strain was visible during the Asia Cup, when India captain Suryakumar Yadav notably refused to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart.
Hockey India claims no official notification
Hockey India, however, said it had not received any official confirmation regarding Pakistan’s withdrawal.
“We have no information from FIH that Pakistan has withdrawn,” said Hockey India secretary general Bholanth Singh.
I had a conversation with Pakistan Hockey Federation officials a month-and-a half-back, and they had confirmed their participation. What transpired after that, I have no knowledge of. Our duty is to conduct the best possible tournament as hosts and hope India wins the title. It’s now up to FIH to announce a replacement for Pakistan.”
Pakistan seeks neutral venue
Meanwhile, in Lahore, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary general Rana Mujahid said the decision not to send the team to India was made “in principle” due to the ongoing diplomatic tensions.
“We have conveyed to the FIH that our junior team will not travel to India,” Mujahid said.
“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.”
Mujahid also criticised the sporting climate between the two countries, referencing incidents where Indian athletes have refused to engage with Pakistani players.
“How do they expect us to play in India when their athletes are not even willing to shake hands in different sports even at neutral venues?” he said.
“FIH says all the events were awarded to India well before the conflict so no one anticipated such a situation.”
The FIH has yet to comment on Pakistan’s proposal for a neutral venue.
PTI
Published: 24 Oct 2025, 03:33 pm IST
Related Topics
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.