Pakistan Hockey Team Cleared to Participate in Asia Cup in India

Pakistan hockey team to visit India for the Asia Cup.

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New Delhi: The Indian government has cleared the participation of the Pakistan hockey team for the forthcoming Asia Cup tournament in Bihar's Rajgir and FIH men's Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu's Madurai, sports ministry sources have confirmed to TOI. It's been learnt that the clearances have come from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the visas process of the Pakistan hockey players has been initiated. The same has been communicated to the host federation - Hockey India (HI).

The decision was part of the Indian govt's efforts to keep the politics and sports aside, while following the statutes of the Olympic Charter, which calls for the inclusiveness and harmony among the participating nations despite their political backgrounds. Had India disallowed the Pakistan team's participation for the two hockey events, it would have faced sanctioned from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The decision also means that the athletes from Pakistan will be allowed in India for other international sports events as well, keeping in line with the spirit of the Olympic Charter. Similarly, the Indian teams representing their respective sports will be allowed to play Pakistan abroad at neutral venues.

While the hockey Asia Cup will be played in Rajgir from Aug 27 to Sept 7, the 14th edition of the Junior World Cup (under 21) will be held at the Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium in Chennai and Madurai from Nov 28 to Dec 10. The tournament will feature 24 teams for the first time.

\"We are not against any team competing in India in a multi-nation event. But bilateral is different. Pakistan hockey team will come to India for the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup as other teams are also coming. Necessary clearances have been obtained from the concerned ministries. India needs to follow the Olympic Charter. We can't stop a nation from competing,\" a sports ministry source informed.

Pakistan’s participation was uncertain after the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor launched by the Indian govt against the terrorist hideouts across the border.

According to the source: Times of India.