Pakistan hockey team skipper Ammad Shakeel Butt Friday demanded the Asian Hockey Federation to shift this year’s Asia Cup from India to a neutral venue considering the recent tension between the two countries.
Reports from India had suggested they will not issue visas to Pakistan players to feature in the event to be held in Rajgir in Bihar from August 27 to September 7 this year after the Pahalgam incident in April which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan.
The two countries launched missile and drone attacks on each other earlier this year before US intervention led to a ceasefire. But in the wake of tension India has taken a stern diplomatic step by revoking all visas issued to Pakistani nationals.
That has jeopardised Pakistan hockey team's travel plans to Rajgir for the mega event. Butt said the event is important for Pakistan as it serves as a qualifying round for next year’s World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Asia Cup is a very important event for us as it is a gateway for us to qualify for the World Cup so we demand the Asian Federation to shift the event to a neutral country. India will definitely create hurdles in our participation, so we need a switch of the tournament.
Butt said Pakistan Hockey Federation is in constant touch with the Asian Federation who are also concerned about the event.
India has always mixed politics in sports so we expect they will do the same thing again.
Pakistan are currently preparing for next month’s FIH Nation’s Cup to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The best-ranked teams not participating in the FIH Hockey Pro League are in the Nation’s Cup. The event gives the winning team the option to be promoted to the FIH Hockey Pro League the next season.
Pakistan is currently ranked 15 in the FIH rankings.
