Pakistan pulls out of Jr Hockey World Cup in India, demand for neutral venue not accepted

The 24-team Junior World Cup is scheduled to be held from November 28 to December 10 in Chennai and Madurai. Pakistan were placed in Group B alongside hosts India, Chile and Switzerland. India and Pakistan were slated to face each other on November 29 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai.

Pakistan had also skipped the Asia Cup, held in Bihar, in August-September despite the tournament being a qualifier for the 2026 World Cup.

The move comes in the backdrop of heightened tensions between the two countries following the terrorist attacks in Pulwama and Operation Sindoor.

The PHF decided not to travel to India for the Junior World Cup following a ‘high-profile’ meeting this week, where security issues were reviewed. According to Dawn, the officials also discussed the ‘conduct of India’s cricket team during the recent Asia Cup’. The Indian cricketers refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts and did not accept the championship trophy from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister.

“The PHF will convey its decision to Hockey India soon,” a PHF official told Dawn. “The PHF and the government don’t want to compromise on the security of players, therefore we decided not to send our team.”

PHF secretary Rana Mujahid said they formally conveyed their decision to the FIH while also proposing the option of playing its matches at a neutral venue.

“We have, at the same time, urged the FIH to arrange for a neutral venue to allow us to participate and play our matches in the Junior World Cup as 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,” Mujahid was quoted as saying by PTI.

Earlier this year, the International Cricket Council decided to host matches involving Pakistan and India at neutral venues during tournaments held in either country. The FIH, however, has decided not to make any hybrid arrangements owing to logistical and financial issues.

Hockey India secretary general Bholanath Singh said they did not receive any official communication from the FIH or the Pakistani federation, adding that the country had ‘confirmed its participation’ during a conversation ‘month-and-a-half ago’.

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