New Delhi, Oct 24 – Pakistan has officially withdrawn from the Junior Hockey World Cup scheduled to take place in India from November 28 to December 28, as confirmed by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to PTI on Friday.

The FIH stated that a replacement team for Pakistan will be announced shortly. “We can confirm that the Pakistan Hockey Federation has notified the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that its team initially qualified for the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 won’t participate eventually,” the FIH said in a statement.

Pakistan was set to compete in Group B alongside India, Chile, and Switzerland. The announcement of a replacement team is eagerly awaited.

This marks the second event in India from which Pakistan has withdrawn, following their exit from the men’s Asia Cup held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 29 to September 7 this year. The relationship between India and Pakistan in sports has significantly deteriorated since the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor.

The Indian government recently implemented a policy prohibiting bilateral sporting contests with Pakistan while allowing participation in multi-nation tournaments. During the Asia Cup, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav notably declined to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart.

In response to the withdrawal, Hockey India has stated it has no prior knowledge of Pakistan’s decision. “We have no information from FIH that Pakistan has withdrawn. I had a conversation with Pakistan Hockey Federation officials a month-and-a-half ago, and they had confirmed their participation,” said HI secretary general Bholanth Singh. He emphasized that Hockey India’s focus remains on conducting a successful tournament and supporting the Indian team.

Interestingly, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has expressed a desire to compete in the tournament at a neutral venue. PHF secretary general Rana Mujahid indicated that the national junior team would not travel to India due to ongoing tensions. “We have 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 stated from Lahore. He further questioned how they could be expected to compete in India when athletes from both nations are unwilling to engage even at neutral venues.