Web Desk(National Times)- The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has formally asked the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to move next month\u2019s men\u2019s Asian Champions Trophy out of India or shift all of Pakistan\u2019s matches to a neutral venue, citing the \u201csensitive bilateral situation\u201d between the two countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The request effectively rules out Pakistan playing their matches at the tournament\u2019s scheduled venues in Jalandhar and Mohali unless the AHF agrees to the proposed change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The development came two days after Wani had told Dawn that Pakistan\u2019s proposed tour to India was subject to government clearance and that the PHF would abide by whatever decision the government took.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources in the PHF said the latest decision to seek a neutral venue had been taken on the direction of the federal government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an official statement issued on Wednesday, Wani said the request had been made to ensure a \u201csafe, dignified and conducive environment\u201d for Pakistan\u2019s players and officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Pakistan Hockey Federation has formally requested the Asian Hockey Federation to relocate the Men\u2019s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 tournament or shift all of Pakistan\u2019s matches to a neutral venue,\u201d Wani said in the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PHF chief, however, made it clear that Pakistan remained committed to the tournament and was willing to face India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPakistan 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PHF president also said the federation hoped the AHF would consider the proposal positively to ensure Pakistan\u2019s full participation in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s visit to India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is no problem in multi-national tournaments. Maybe individual series [between India and Pakistan] cannot take place,\u201d Mann said at an event in Mohali when asked about Pakistan\u2019s participation and whether the requisite clearances had been obtained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tournament is scheduled to feature hosts India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan\u2019s proposed match against India is scheduled for Nov 1 in Jalandhar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PHF\u2019s latest move means that, while Pakistan is seeking to avoid playing its fixtures in India, it is not seeking to withdraw from the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The federation has specifically stated that it is prepared to play India and other FIH member nations at a neutral venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan had also withdrawn from last year\u2019s Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu amid heightened tensions between the two countries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Web Desk(National Times)- The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has formally asked the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to move next month\u2019s men\u2019s Asian Champions Trophy out of India or shift all of Pakistan\u2019s matches to a neutral venue, citing the \u201csensitive bilateral situation\u201d between the two countries. The request effectively rules out Pakistan playing their matches […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":133193,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-133192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n