Pakistan’s participation in this year’s Asia Cup hockey tournament in India is doubtful because of the military conflict between the two countries in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ and carried out missile strikes on terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in retaliation for the horrific attack on civilians in Pahalgam.
The matter escalated as Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks on India, which were neutralised by the country’s robust air defence system. India responded by destroying military installations and air defence systems located in major Pakistani cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi, among others.
After three days of military conflict, the two countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 after Pakistan’s DGMO reached out to his Indian counterpart.
PM Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation, said that India will not engage with their neighbours in any capacity till Pakistan start fighting terror inside their own country.
Amidst the escalating tensions, the Asia Cup, which will be staged in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 27 to September 7, is likely to go ahead without Pakistan.
Pakistan in serious doubt for Asia Cup participation
Hosts India, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Oman and Chinese Taipei are scheduled to participate in the 12th edition of the continental tournament – a qualifying event for next year’s World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium.
“It is too early to say anything, but we will follow the government’s directive on this issue, which has been the case in the past,” HI secretary general Bholanath Singh told PTI.
“We can’t predict anything right now especially after the recent barbaric Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor that India conducted following that.
“There is still close to three months for the tournament but we will abide by what our government suggests us. There are no two ways about it.”
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the government instructed all Pakistani nationals to leave the country and revoked their visas.
In case of Pakistan’s absence, the decision to stage the event with seven teams or bring in a new team to fill the vacant slot will be decided by the Asian Hockey Federation.
Nine years ago, Pakistan did not compete in the 2016 Junior World Cup in India, which was held a few months after a terror attack at the Pathankot air base.
Malaysia was drafted in the tournament in place of the Pakistani team in that event.
Under current circumstances, Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming Junior World Cup in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10 is also doubtful.
Five-time winners South Korea enter the tournament as the defending champions while both India and Pakistan have won three titles apiece.
Amidst the escalating tensions, the Asia Cup, which will be staged in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 27 to September 7, is likely to go ahead without Pakistan. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
