Pakistan’s junior men’s hockey team has pulled out of the upcoming FIH Men’s Junior World Cup, set to take place from November 28 to December 10 in Chennai and Madurai. The move was made after the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) consulted the government and the Pakistan Sports Board, citing “security risks and political tension” with India as the main reason.
PHF secretary Rana Mujahid confirmed the decision, saying the current atmosphere was “not conducive.” He pointed to recent incidents at the Asia Cup cricket event, where Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistani teammates and did not accept the trophy presented by Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi. “It was shameful,” Mujahid told Telecom Asia Sport.
Pakistan had already withdrawn from the Asia Cup in August, losing a chance to qualify for next year’s World Cup. In that tournament the PHF was replaced by Bangladesh. The Junior World Cup placed Pakistan in Group B with India, Chile, and Switzerland. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) will now look for a substitute team.
A top PHF official explained that the decision followed advice from the Pakistani government and Sports Board, stating that the “political tension” makes participation a big security risk. The PHF has already informed the FIH, which will relay the news to Hockey India.
The withdrawal comes amid a broader strain in India‑Pakistan relations. In December, India launched Operation Sindoor—cross‑border airstrikes targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure after a 2024 attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists. The tension spilled over into cricket, where the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) barred the Pakistan men’s team from a Champions Trophy series, forcing Pakistan to play some matches in Dubai.
In the last test of their sporting rivalry, Pakistani juniors drew 3‑3 with India in the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia. The team had spent over a year training and playing three international series in preparation for the Junior World Cup, but their plans have been abruptly halted.
The PHF’s withdrawal underscores how political clashes are increasingly influencing even youth sports events. The FIH will decide on a replacement for the Indian hockey community and world‑cup fans who were looking forward to the tournament.
Source: ianslive
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