Mumbai, March 20: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will seek advice from its government regarding playing against India in the upcoming FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, scheduled to take place in Belgium and the Netherlands this year. Reports indicate that tensions between the two countries have now extended to the sports arena.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the tournament draw, placing India and Pakistan in ‘Pool D’ of the 16-team World Cup. However, PHF officials have stated to Telecom Asia Sport that they will fully comply with the government’s decision regarding the match against india, set for August 19 in the first round.
The men’s hockey World Cup will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30. This will be Pakistan’s first World Cup appearance since finishing 12th among 16 teams in the 2018 tournament held in Bhubaneswar, India. Pakistan failed to qualify for the World Cups in 2014 and 2022. Historically, Pakistan is a four-time world champion in field hockey, with its last title won in 1994.
Currently, the PHF is operating under an interim arrangement, with its management committee scheduled to meet on March 27 to discuss this matter.
Olympian Samiullah commented to Telecom Asia that, “We are aware that Pakistan and India are in the same pool, so this issue will be on the agenda for the executive committee meeting on March 27. It is a serious matter, and we need to consult the government.”
Since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, India has suspended bilateral sports relations with Pakistan, although both countries compete against each other in multinational tournaments. Last year, following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India refused to send its men’s cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy due to heightened military tensions between the two nations.
Political tensions have also led Pakistan to withdraw from both the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup held in India last year. Prior to the Men’s T20 World Cup, similar claims were made, and the Pakistani government instructed its team not to participate in a match against India in Colombo, Sri Lanka, but ultimately had to reverse its decision.
The last field hockey match between the two countries took place on September 30, 2022, at the Asian Games, where India secured a significant victory with a score of 10-2. India has won all of its last five encounters against Pakistan.
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RSG