Government to Assess Security for Hockey Team’s Asia Cup Participation

Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, stated on Thursday that the national men’s hockey team’s participation in the AHF Asia Cup in India hinges on satisfactory security measures.

In a statement, Mashhood indicated that the government will carefully consider the security arrangements before deciding on the team’s participation in the continental tournament, prioritizing the team’s safety.

“We will evaluate the security protocols for the Asia Cup in India,” Mashhood affirmed. “If the security measures are deemed insufficient, the Pakistan team will not be placed at risk.”

Mashhood added that the national team is motivated to triumph over India on their home field during the forthcoming competition.

This announcement follows reports in the Indian media a week prior, suggesting that their government is inclined to permit Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 27 to September 7.

Reportedly, a source within the Indian Sports Ministry confirmed that preventing Pakistan from competing would violate the Olympic Charter.

“We are not opposed to any team’s participation in multi-national events held in India. Blocking Pakistan would be viewed as a breach of the Olympic Charter. However, bilateral events are different, and there will be no changes in that regard,” the ministry source clarified.

“International sports require us to participate in multi-national competitions. For example, Russia and Ukraine continue to compete in events despite being at war. The same logic applies here,” the source elaborated.

Citing the Sports Ministry’s source, the report further noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have also approved Pakistan’s participation in the tournament.

Following the Asia Cup, India is also slated to host the FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup from November 28 to December 10, with matches planned in Chennai and Madurai.