Pakistan pulls out of men’s Junior Hockey World Cup, replacement team to be announced
Chennai: After skipping the men’s hockey Asia Cup in Rajgir, Pakistan have withdrawn from the men’s junior hockey World Cup, slated to be held in Chennai and Madurai from Nov 28 to Dec 10. The development was confirmed by Hockey India (HI) treasurer and Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu (HUTN) president Sekar Manoharan. “Pakistan have pulled out and the replacement team will be announced in a few days,” Sekar told TOI. Pakistan were placed in Group B alongside India, Chile, and Switzerland. According to reports, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has expressed willingness to compete in the 24-team tournament at a neutral venue. “We have urged the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to arrange for a neutral venue to allow us to participate and play our matches in the Junior World Cup. Missing out on major events because they are being held in India is hurting our hockey and not helping in the development of our players,” PHF secretary general Rana Mujahid was quoted as saying. But Sekar stressed that all the matches will be held in the Tamil Nadu cities. Sporting relations between the two nations have remained tense since the Pahalgam terror attack. “We have asked the FIH how it expects us to go and play in India when their athletes are not even willing to shake hands in different sports, even at neutral venues. The FIH said that all the events were awarded to India well before the conflict, so no one anticipated such a situation,” Rana added. Sporting tensions escalated when the Indian cricket team refused to shake hands with Pakistan players during the T20 Asia Cup.
