Pakistan asks AHF to shift its Asian Champions Trophy matches from India
Pakistan on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) requested the Asian Hockey Federation to move its Asian Champions Trophy matches out of India, saying the team would not travel to India because of a "sensitive bilateral situation." The Pakistan Hockey Federation made the appeal to the AHF to shift either the entire tournament or Pakistan's matches to a neutral venue to ensure the team's "uninterrupted" participation.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the dates of the AHF Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Mohali, saying the tournament will be hosted in Mohali and Jalandhar from October 27 to November 5. Interim PHF president Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani said he formally requested the contest or Pakistan's matches be relocated, citing prevailing security conditions in his statement.
Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, who is also an Asian Hockey Federation Vice-President, rejected Pakistan's request and said the venue would not be changed. He said: "No such request would be entertained. There will be no change in venue. In the past also Pakistan did this, if they want to play in Asian Champions Trophy they will have to come to India," Mr. Bhola Nath said. He also indicated potential replacements, saying: "We have two teams in Bangladesh and Oman who can take Pakistan's place."
Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, identifying himself as interim PHF president, explained the move was taken "in view of the current sensitive bilateral situation between Pakistan and India and the prevailing security conditions, with the aim of ensuring a safe, dignified and conducive environment for the national players and officials." He added: "We are ready to take on India as well as all FIH member nations on the field and remain committed to the principle of keeping sport free from politics." He concluded in the statement: "We strongly hope that the Asian Hockey Federation will positively consider our dignified proposal for a neutral venue to ensure Pakistan's uninterrupted and full participation in the tournament."
The development came a few hours after a senior PHF official told PTI that the government had not given clearance for the national team to travel to India, a claim that contradicted an earlier confirmation of participation by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. CM Mann had earlier confirmed Pakistan's participation in the Asian Champions Trophy along with Bhola Nath, with the latter insisting that India's sports policy allowed Pakistan to take part in multinational sporting events in the country.
Pakistan withdrew from the FIH Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu last year and from the Asia Cup, citing concerns over the security situation. India, Pakistan, Malaysia, China, Japan and Korea are listed as the participating nations in the regional tournament.
The men's Asian Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Punjab's Mohali and Jalandhar from October 27 to November 5; Bhola Nath has said Bangladesh and Oman could replace Pakistan if the PHF does not participate.