Pakistan hockey captain Imad Shakeel Butt has raised serious concerns about the upcoming 2025 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup, calling on the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to shift the event away from India due to ongoing political tensions between the two countries.
The tournament, scheduled to be held from August 27 to September 7, 2025, in Rajgir, Bihar, serves as a direct qualifier for the 2026 Hockey World Cup and, for Pakistan, it’s a vital opportunity to secure a spot on global hockey’s biggest stage.
But the captain fears the political climate could affect fair participation.
“The Asia Cup is crucial for us. Given the current political situation, we strongly believe the venue should be reconsidered to ensure fair participation and a neutral environment,” said Imad Butt while addressing the media on Wednesday.
His statement comes amid growing uncertainty over whether Pakistan will even be granted entry into India for the tournament. Reports, though not officially confirmed, have suggested that Indian authorities may delay or deny visas to the Pakistani team, citing security reasons.
Despite the political uncertainty, Imad assured that the national team remains focused on its current goals. Pakistan is preparing for the FIH Nations Cup, a tournament that can open the door to the FIH Pro League, one of international hockey’s most elite competitions.
“We are training hard, and our mindset is clear. The players are motivated and ready to give their best,” said Imad, underlining the team’s commitment to staying competitive on the field.
The 2025 Hockey Asia Cup is not the only sporting event expected to come under scrutiny due to Pakistan-India tensions. The 2025 Cricket Asia Cup is also under a cloud, while the Women’s ODI World Cup is expected to carry high tensions as it is set to take place in India as well.
Pakistan and India share a rich and often intense rivalry in hockey, but off-field politics have frequently cast a shadow on their matchups. With just a few months to go before the Asia Cup, questions remain about whether the tournament can go ahead smoothly if hosted in India—particularly if Pakistan’s participation is in doubt.
For now, all eyes are on the Asian Hockey Federation, as Pakistan awaits a decision that could impact their road to the 2026 World Cup.
AHF should change the venue as being an ex hockey giants Pakistan has every right to test its glorified past in the upcoming World cup…. PHF must write in advance to the concerned pleading the case for pak hockey with the support of GOP