Pakistan to Visit India for Junior Hockey WorldCup: India will come to India for Hockey World Cup, big decision after Asia Cup Controversy, Visa gets approval

Rajgir (Bihar). Pakistan’s team will visit India to participate in the Junior Hockey World Cup. Hockey India General Secretary Bholanath Singh on Saturday confirmed that Pakistan would come to India to participate in the FIH Junior World Cup later this year. Citing security concerns after the military conflict between the two countries, Pakistan decided to withdraw from the ongoing Asia Cup in Bihar. This raised doubts whether Pakistan would participate in the Junior World Cup to be held in Chennai and Madurai in November-December.

Bholanath said, ‘Pakistani team is coming to India for Junior World Cup. He confirmed this to us last night. After withdrawing from the Asia Cup, I asked him about his availability. He said that preparations for the tournament are in the ‘final phase’. Bholanath said, ‘Out of 24 countries, we have got a list of 23 countries. Only Pakistan is left for which we are expected to meet in a day or two.

The Government of India has recently made a policy that it will not have any bilateral sports relations with Pakistan but India’s teams will not be stopped from competing against Pakistan in multinational competitions. Bholanath said, ‘I am completely clear about that the Olympic charter will give us whatever instructions the government and Hockey India will follow and complete it. The Government of India is also clear that Pakistan can play against India in any international tournament.

He said, ‘The government also approved his visa but only they know why Pakistan did not come now.’ The top official of Hockey India also clarified that the FIH Pro League is an international tournament and the Indian team will play with Pakistan if needed. Pakistan has replaced New Zealand in 2025-26 FIH Pro League. Bholanath said, ‘If they are in our pool in the FIH Pro League and if our match is from Pakistan then why will we not play with them? This is an international tournament.