The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has formally asked the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to move next month’s men’s Asian Champions Trophy out of India or shift all of Pakistan’s matches to a neutral venue, citing the “sensitive bilateral situation” between the two countries.
The request effectively rules out Pakistan playing their matches at the tournament’s scheduled venues in Jalandhar and Mohali unless the AHF agrees to the proposed change.
PHF president Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, who is also federal secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, confirmed to Dawn on Wednesday that the federation had formally approached the AHF.
The development came two days after Wani had told Dawn that Pakistan’s proposed tour to India was subject to government clearance and that the PHF would abide by whatever decision the government took.
Sources in the PHF said the latest decision to seek a neutral venue had been taken on the direction of the federal government.
In an official statement issued on Wednesday, Wani said the request had been made to ensure a “safe, dignified and conducive environment” for Pakistan’s players and officials.
“The Pakistan Hockey Federation has formally requested the Asian Hockey Federation to relocate the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 tournament or shift all of Pakistan’s matches to a neutral venue,” Wani said in the statement.
The PHF chief, however, made it clear that Pakistan remained committed to the tournament and was willing to face India.
“Pakistan remains fully committed to participating in the Asian Champions Trophy and international hockey and is ready to play against all FIH member nations, including India,” he said.
The PHF president also said the federation hoped the AHF would consider the proposal positively to ensure Pakistan’s full participation in the tournament.
The request comes two days after Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Pakistan would participate in the tournament, prompting the PHF to clarify that no decision had been taken on the team’s visit to India.
Mann, according to a Press Trust of India (PTI) report, had said Pakistan would be among the six teams competing in the Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held from Oct 27 to Nov 5.
“There is no problem in multi-national tournaments. Maybe individual series [between India and Pakistan] cannot take place,” Mann said at an event in Mohali when asked about Pakistan’s participation and whether the requisite clearances had been obtained.
The tournament is scheduled to feature hosts India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.
Jalandhar is to host the opening ceremony and all league-stage matches from Oct 27 to Nov 2, while the semi-finals and final are scheduled to be played in Mohali on Nov 4 and 5.
Pakistan’s proposed match against India is scheduled for Nov 1 in Jalandhar.
The PHF’s latest move means that, while Pakistan is seeking to avoid playing its fixtures in India, it is not seeking to withdraw from the competition.
The federation has specifically stated that it is prepared to play India and other FIH member nations at a neutral venue.
Pakistan had also withdrawn from last year’s Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
