Pakistan’s participation within the Asian Champions Trophy stays topic to authorities approval
Pakistan hockey workforce gamers have fun after scoring throughout their emphatic 7-2 win over Malaysia within the Sultan of Johor Cup match held in Johor Bahru on Saturday. Picture: X
LAHORE:
Pakistan’s hockey workforce is about to face arch-rivals India on the Asian Champions Trophy in India’s Punjab province on November1, however the nation’s participation stays topic to authorities approval.
The match shall be performed from October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali, with the ultimate scheduled for November 5, based on particulars introduced on the occasion’s brand and schedule unveiling in Mohali.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann mentioned Pakistan could be amongst six prime Asian groups collaborating within the match, alongside hosts India, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.
The November 1 fixture in Jalandhar would mark one other high-profile assembly between the South Asian rivals, whose sporting ties have often been affected by wider political tensions.
Bangladesh and Oman have been listed as reserve groups in case any of the taking part sides withdraw, officers mentioned.
PHF officers, nonetheless, mentioned Pakistan’s participation was not but confirmed.
“The choice to play in India is topic to authorities permission,” federation officers mentioned, including that the workforce would solely be despatched if approval was granted.
The Asian Champions Trophy is without doubt one of the area’s main males’s hockey competitions and supplies groups with a possibility to check themselves in opposition to a few of Asia’s strongest sides forward of main worldwide tournaments.
It’s not but clear whether or not Pakistan will take part within the occasion, given the strained relations between the 2 international locations. The workforce would require authorities approval to journey to India. Whereas cricket has adopted a hybrid mannequin for occasions involving the 2 international locations, Pakistan’s participation within the hockey match will in the end rely upon the federal government’s determination.