Neutral Venue Demand: Pakistan Refuses to Play in India for Men's Hockey Asian Champions Trophy

Pakistan refuses to play in India for the Men's Hockey Asian Champions Trophy, with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) asking organisers to move the tournament or arrange neutral venues for the national team's fixtures.

The six-team competition is due to take place from October 27 to November 5, with India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea in the field. Mumbai and Jalandhar were originally selected to host the tournament.

PHF president Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said the federation's decision was based on security concerns surrounding the current bilateral situation. The federation wants the players and officials to compete in conditions it considers safe and suitable.

Despite the decision, Wani said Pakistan remains committed to the Asian Champions Trophy and international hockey. He also said the team is prepared to face all FIH member nations, including India, while maintaining the position that sporting events should remain separate from political issues.

The PHF's stance comes shortly after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Pakistan would be allowed to participate in multinational sporting events in India. Mann had distinguished such competitions from bilateral series between the two countries.

"There is no problem in multinational tournaments. Maybe individual series between India and Pakistan cannot take place," Mann said.

Pakistan's participation has become a point of attention because the Men's Hockey Asian Champions Trophy is an Asian Hockey Federation competition involving the continent's leading teams. India won the previous two editions, lifting the 2023 title in Chennai before retaining it in Hulunbuir, China, in 2024.

Oman and Bangladesh have been kept as reserve sides for the tournament in case one of the six participating teams pulls out.

The latest development also follows Pakistan's decision to withdraw from the Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu last year. The PHF had cited heightened tensions between India and Pakistan when pulling out of that competition.

The Asian Champions Trophy was not held last year but is scheduled to return in 2026, with the Asian Hockey Federation overseeing the event.