Pakistan is set to participate in the upcoming Men's
The tournament, scheduled to run from October 27 to November 5, will feature six nations, including India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea. Matches are slated to take place at stadiums in Jalandhar and Mohali. Additionally, Oman and Bangladesh have been designated as reserve teams should any withdrawals occur during the lead-up to the event.
Tournament Logistics and Policy Context
Addressing questions regarding the participation of the Pakistani team, Chief Minister Mann clarified that while bilateral series between the two nations remain off the table, multi-national tournaments are treated differently under current sports policy. The Indian government maintains a stance that prevents bilateral engagements following the military tensions of the previous year, yet adheres to the Olympic Charter by allowing competition in broader, multi-lateral contexts.
This tournament marks a significant return for the competition, which is held under the auspices of the Asian Hockey Federation. Although it is an annual event, it was not held in 2025. India enters the upcoming edition as the defending champion, having secured titles in 2023 in Chennai and 2024 in Hulunbuir, China.
Federation Relations and Hosting Commitments
The tournament structure will see the league stage matches held in Jalandhar, while the semi-finals and the final are scheduled for the Mohali stadium. Chief Minister Mann expressed the state's full commitment to the event, highlighting that Punjab is prepared to ensure the successful organization of the tournament, which represents the first time the state has hosted this specific competition.
