India has been given the hosting rights of 2025 Men's Hockey Asia Cup. This tournament will be held in Rajgir, Bihar from 27 August to 7 September 2025. Eight teams will participate including Pakistan. Sports Ministry has made it clear that India will compete with Pakistan in a tournament involving many countries.
According to sources in Sports Ministry, Pakistan's hockey team will be allowed to participate in the Men's Hockey Asia Cup-2025. Tournament will be held in India in Rajgir, Bihar. Due to increasing tension between India and Pakistan, the Indian government had taken strict action against Pakistan. After Operation Sidhoor, there was tension in both the countries. Many sports events were also banned. However, later the life of both the countries has become normal.
A senior official of Sports Ministry said on Thursday that we are not against the participation of any team in multinational tournaments. However, a different approach is adopted in the case of bilateral competitions. Some doubts had arisen regarding Pakistan's participation due to 'Operation Sindoor', but now it is clear that they will be allowed to take part in the tournament. Sports Ministry sources also indicated that Pakistan's team will also be allowed to play in India in the Junior Hockey World Cup to be held in November-December.
Asia Cup is also important from the World Cup point of view
Men's Hockey Asia Cup-2025 will be held from 27 August to 7 September. Host India, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Oman and Chinese Taipei are to participate in it. This time the importance of Asia Cup is also more because the team that wins the Asia Cup title will directly qualify for the Hockey World Cup-2026. It is also a qualifying tournament for the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup. The World Cup will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands.