Our Bureau
Jalandhar
Pakistan’s men’s hockey team will travel to India next month to participate in the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed on Monday. The tournament, featuring six nations, is scheduled to be held from October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali.
Mann said there was no issue with Pakistan’s participation in a multinational sporting event, while bilateral contests between the two countries remained a separate matter. “There is no problem in multinational tournaments,” he said, responding to questions about the team’s visit.
The tournament will bring together India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea. League-stage matches are expected to be played in Jalandhar, with the semi-finals and final scheduled for Mohali.
The development follows India’s stated policy of allowing Pakistani teams to participate in multinational sporting events hosted in the country, despite the suspension of bilateral sporting ties. The policy has previously been cited by government officials as consistent with international sporting norms and the Olympic Charter.
Pakistan’s participation adds significance to the tournament, given the longstanding sporting rivalry between the two neighbours. The two teams have continued to meet in international competitions even as bilateral series remain suspended.
India, the defending champion, will host the competition in Punjab for the first time. The event is expected to attract attention from hockey supporters across the region and provide another international platform for the sport.