The Pakistan men’s hockey team has pulled out of the upcoming Hockey Asia Cup 2025 in India, a decision the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) says was made to protect the safety and dignity of its players.
The event, scheduled in Rajgir, Bihar from August 27 to September 7, will now go ahead without Pakistan, one of Asia’s most celebrated hockey nations. Bangladesh has been invited as a replacement to maintain the tournament’s eight-team format.
According to the PHF, security concerns were the deciding factor, even though India had indicated it would grant visas. Officials stressed that wider political tensions between the two countries left Pakistan with little choice but to prioritize its athletes’ well-being.
“This is not about avoiding competition,” PHF clarified, “it is about ensuring that our players compete in conditions where their focus remains solely on hockey.”
Pakistan’s absence is a blow for fans eager to see traditional rivalries, but federation officials said the team would instead focus on preparing for upcoming international tournaments under safe and supportive conditions.
The development once again highlights how strained Pakistan-India relations often extend into the world of sports. For Pakistan hockey, the boycott serves as both a protective measure and a statement of principle: participation must not come at the cost of player security.