Indian hockey officials reject Pakistan’s neutral venue demand for Asian Champions Trophy
Indian hockey officials reject Pakistan’s neutral venue demand for Asian Champions Trophy
By Nawaz Gohar ; The Asian Hockey Champions Trophy has hit a major diplomatic and administrative impasse after Indian hockey authorities flatly turned down the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) formal appeal to shift the tournament, or at least Pakistan’s fixtures, to a neutral venue.
The PHF had submitted a proposal to the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) seeking a venue change, citing heightened regional tensions, sensitive bilateral dynamics, and critical security considerations regarding the national squad’s safety and dignity.
Dismissing the request, Indian hockey officials affirmed that the tournament schedule remains unchanged and that all matches will proceed on Indian soil as originally planned. Authorities warned that if Pakistan refuses to travel to India, a reserve team, such as Bangladesh or Oman, will be brought in to replace the Green Shirts in the six-nation competition.
Despite the dispute, the PHF maintained that Pakistan remains fully committed to competing against all participating Asian nations, including India, provided a safe, dignifying, and conducive atmosphere is ensured for players and team management. PHF officials stressed that sports should remain isolated from political friction, reiterating that player safety remains paramount.
The Asian Champions Trophy is scheduled to run from October 27 to November 5, with league matches slated for Jalandhar and the semi-finals and final set for Mohali in Indian Punjab.
While Indian officials have taken a rigid stance, the governing body, the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), has yet to issue an official verdict or a detailed formal response regarding Pakistan’s neutral venue application.
