Mumbai, March 19: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will seek advice from its government regarding playing against India in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup scheduled to take place in Belgium and the Netherlands this year. Reports indicate that tensions between the two nations have now reached 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 informed Telecom Asia Sport that they will fully adhere to the government’s decision regarding their participation in the match against India on August 19.
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 in the tournament held in Bhubaneswar, India, in 2018. Pakistan failed to qualify for the World Cups in 2014 and 2022. The country has won the field hockey World Cup four times, with its last title coming in 1994.
Currently, the PHF is operating under an interim arrangement, and its management committee will meet on March 27 to discuss this matter.
Olympian Samiullah stated to Telecom Asia Dot Net, “We are aware that Pakistan and India have been placed 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 escalating tensions between the two nations’ armed forces.
Due to political tensions, Pakistan withdrew from both the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup held in India last year. Prior to the Men’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan made similar claims, instructing 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, during the Asian Games, where India won by a significant margin of 10-2. India has won all five of its previous encounters against Pakistan.