The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is preparing to announce a new team to take Pakistan’s place in the upcoming Men’s Junior World Cup, set to be hosted in Tamil Nadu from 28 November.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) confirmed to the FIH that its team would not travel to India for the event, following instructions from the Pakistani government.
In a statement shared with IANS, the FIH said, “We can confirm that the Pakistan Hockey Federation has notified the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that its team, initially qualified for the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, won’t participate eventually. The team replacing Pakistan in the tournament will announce its participation soon.”
The decision comes as a setback for organisers, who had already postponed the tournament draw for several weeks to allow Pakistan to make a final call.
When clarity did not emerge, the FIH went ahead and conducted the draw from its Lausanne headquarters rather than in India.
Pakistan’s late pullout means a lower-ranked reserve team will now drafted in, one that may have little time to prepare for the world tournament.
Reports indicate the PHF made the decision after consultations with the Pakistan government and Sports Board, who cited security and political reasons for the team’s non-participation.
A senior PHF official said, “We sought the advice of the government and Pakistan Sports Board, who have told us that under the current political tension, it will not be feasible to send the team to India for the Junior World Cup as it will be a big security risk.”
Pakistan featured in Group B along with India, Chile, and Switzerland.
The replacement team will take Pakistan’s slot, with selection based on rankings among the standby nations.
This marks the second withdrawal by Pakistan from a major hockey event in India this year.
The team earlier pulled out of the Men’s Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, where Bangladesh filled in.That withdrawal also cost Pakistan a chance to qualify for the next World Cup.
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