Pakistan hockey team will need government clearance to play FIH Junior World Cup in India: Pakistan Hockey Federation 

The Pakistan hockey team needs to get government clearance before confirming their participation in the Junior Hockey World Cup, scheduled to take place next year on Indian soil. Rana Mujahid, the secretary general of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), said that Pakistan need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the government for the team to go to India.

“Normally we have always been permitted by our government to play in major events in India in recent years despite the strained relations between the two countries. But now we have been informed to first get clearance before finalising the team and confirming participation,” Rana was quoted as saying by PTI.

Pakistan booked their ticket for the Junior World Cup after finishing as the runners-up in the Asia Cup, which took place in Oman. Pakistan lost 3-5 to India in the grand finale.

Back in 2016, Pakistan could not take part in the Junior World Cup in India after the players were not given visas because of late submission of applications.

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Pakistan grappling with financial turmoil

Rana also talked about the financial turmoil which Pakistan hockey is going through. He said that the PHF has cleared all the allowances and other dues of players and match officials.

“The government is supporting us and we are hopeful the Sindh government will also release our annual grant soon,” Rana said.

Rana also said that the National Senior Hockey Championship will take place in Karachi from December 27 to January 8.

Pakistan won the Junior Hockey World Cup back in 1979 in Versailles, France, after which they finished as the runners-up in 1993 when the tournament took place in Terrassa, Spain.

In 1982 (Kuala Lumpur), 1985 (Vancouver) and 1989 (Ipoh), Pakistan finished third. Last time around in 2023, Pakistan finished eighth when the championship took place in Kuala Lumpur.

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