Lahore( The COW News Digital)In a significant sporting and diplomatic development, Pakistan has officially decided not to send its national hockey team to the upcoming Asia Cup tournament scheduled to be held in India. The decision comes amid heightened political tensions and mounting security concerns for the players.
According to sources within the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), the move was taken after evaluating potential threats to the team’s safety. Intelligence reports, social media activity, and open threats from extremist groups contributed to the assessment that the Indian environment is currently unsafe for Pakistani athletes.
“Pakistan has always upheld the principle that sports should rise above politics,” said an official from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination. “Unfortunately, India has politicized bilateral sporting events and allowed a hostile narrative to dominate.”
In recent weeks, several Indian media outlets have adopted an aggressive stance toward Pakistan, while extremist elements have issued direct threats to the visiting team through various platforms. The situation, according to insiders, became too risky for the players’ lives and well-being.
“Sending our team into a potentially dangerous environment would be irresponsible,” a senior PHF official stated. “Athletes deserve protection and respect—not hostility driven by political rhetoric.”
The Asia Cup, organized by the Asian Hockey Federation, is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the region and serves as a qualification event for the Hockey World Cup. Pakistan’s withdrawal will likely affect the competitive balance of the event and may lead to repercussions in future fixtures or invitations.
The PHF is expected to notify the Asian Hockey Federation formally and may request that future international hockey tournaments be held in neutral venues to ensure fair and safe participation for all nations.
This development has reignited calls among Pakistani sports officials and fans for stronger international guarantees on player safety when teams are sent to rival nations under strained diplomatic conditions.
While India has not officially responded to the decision, the ongoing political discord between the two countries continues to affect cross-border sporting ties—cricket, tennis, and now hockey.
