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Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has said India is open to welcoming Pakistan to India for the Jr. Hockey World Cup 2025 later this year, however, he insisted that the federation won't play the waiting game this time around. Tirkey's comments come after Pakistan pulled out of the ongoing Asia Cup hockey tournament in India.
Pakistan were supposed to take part in the Asia Cup 2025, which is currently underway in Bihar's Rajgir, however, they pulled out of the tournament at the last minute, citing security concerns. Pakistan decided to pull out of the tournament in India amid strained relations between the two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack in April this year.
India and Pakistan were involved in a military standoff after the Indian armed forces conducted Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people lost their lives. In the aftermath of the tensions, the Pakistan hockey team refused to play in India.
Pakistan's participation in the upcoming Jr. Hockey World Cup also remains in doubt after their Asia Cup snub. But Hockey India secretary Bholanath Singh recently confirmed that Pakistan will take part in the tournament, which is scheduled to take place in November-December this year.
Speaking about Pakistan's participation in the Jr. World Cup, Hockey India president Tirkey said India will welcome Pakistan if they decide to come, however, he insisted that the visitors will have to give their reasons if they delay the decision. He also added that Hockey India is monitoring the situation and will take a call accordingly if Pakistan refuse to take part in the tournament in India.
"I also read in papers only that Pakistan confirmed. We also came to know from papers. If they delay, they will give reasons. Last time also, Indian government welcomed them, clearance also was given, but finally they dropped citing security reasons," Tirkey told India Today.
"We are watching the situation closely. Still time is there. If they come, we will welcome. If not, then accordingly, a decision will be taken," he added.
India and Pakistan are placed in the same group in the Hockey Jr. World Cup 2025 which is set to be played in Tamil Nadu from November 28 to December 10. It remains to be seen if the Pakistan junior hockey team will travel to India for the tournament after the senior team pulled out of the Asia Cup this month.
Despite the ongoing tensions between the two countries, the Indian sports ministry recently clarified that India will be open to hosting Pakistan teams across sports in international events, which come under the jurisdiction of international governing bodies. However, the ministry maintained that India will not engage in any bilateral sporting events with Pakistan.
The sports ministry had to issue a clarification after massive outrage over the BCCI agreeing to play against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE. The Indian cricket team will take on Pakistan in the tournament on September 14. The match is scheduled to go ahead as per schedule despite many urging the government to call it off.
