Pakistan Hockey Teams Cleared to Compete in Asia Cup and Junior World Cup in India: Sports Ministry Cites Olympic Charter

In a significant development reflecting the spirit of international sportsmanship, Pakistan’s national and junior hockey teams will be allowed to participate in upcoming multinational tournaments hosted by India, a senior official from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports confirmed on Thursday.

Despite ongoing political tensions and a prolonged freeze on bilateral sporting ties between the two nations, the Indian government has clarified that it will not prevent Pakistan from competing in multi-nation sporting events held on Indian soil.

The move aligns with the principles of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits discrimination and encourages peaceful interaction among nations through sports.

The two tournaments in question are the Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 27 to September 7, and the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, which will be held in Chennai and Madurai between November 28 and December 10.

A senior ministry official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, explained:

“We are not opposed to the participation of any nation, including Pakistan, in multinational competitions hosted in India.

To bar them from competing would be a clear violation of the Olympic Charter. However, this position strictly applies to multilateral events—bilateral sporting ties remain suspended and there will be no policy change on that front.”

The Olympic Charter, often described as the foundational constitution of the global Olympic movement, promotes sport as a universal vehicle for fostering international peace, understanding, and cooperation.

As such, any effort by a host nation to exclude a participant country from a multinational event risks not only diplomatic backlash but could also jeopardize its future opportunities to host global sporting tournaments.

When asked whether this policy stance might influence India’s participation in the Asia Cup cricket tournament slated for September—especially in the context of potential encounters with Pakistan—the official stated:

“The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has not yet approached us regarding this matter. We will respond to the issue if and when the cricket board reaches out.”

India and Pakistan have largely abstained from bilateral sporting engagements for nearly two decades, with their interactions limited mostly to multinational platforms like the World Cups or the Asian Games.

However, even these limited encounters were thrown into uncertainty following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which led to the tragic deaths of 26 tourists.

In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor in May, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan. This operation significantly escalated military tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, which only subsided after Pakistan formally requested a ceasefire.

Despite the strained geopolitical climate, the government emphasized that withdrawing from international competitions or blocking another nation’s participation would be counterproductive to India’s long-term sporting interests.

“International sports require maturity. Even countries at war—like Russia and Ukraine—continue to compete in global events. We must rise above conflict and uphold the integrity of international sports,” the ministry source said.

Meanwhile, Hockey India has fully endorsed the government’s decision to permit Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming tournaments.

“We welcome the government’s stand. Our position has always been clear—we will comply with whatever decision the government takes on such matters,” said Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India.

Hockey India had earlier maintained that it would strictly follow the government’s directive concerning the participation of foreign teams, particularly those from countries with which India shares a volatile relationship.

The decision is being seen as a balanced approach—one that honors international sporting obligations while maintaining a firm stance against resuming bilateral sporting ties in light of unresolved security and diplomatic concerns.