The Pakistan men’s hockey team will not be taking part in the Asia Cup to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29 to September 7, according to a Hockey India official.
Speaking to Sportstar on Wednesday, an official from Hockey India said that even though the Indian Government was willing to provide visas to Pakistan, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) refused, citing security reasons.
“In fact, PHF has written a letter to Asian Hockey Federation on Wednesday, saying that it won’t be able to complete in the Asia Cup due to security reasons. We have invited Bangladesh now,“ the source said.
Reports of Pakistan not wanting to send its team to India for the tournament had emerged after the military conflict amid border tensions between the neighbouring countries in May. The PHF had also reportedly wrote to the FIH about its unwillingness to send a team to India.
India also hosts the junior World Cup later this year.
