Pakistan's ACT visit to India hinges on govt clearance, says PHF chief
Synopsis
Pakistan's Hockey Federation chief says Islamabad's go-ahead — not PHF — will decide whether Pakistan competes at the Asian Champions Trophy in Jalandhar. With the India-Pakistan clash set for Punjab Day on 1 November, and Pakistan having withdrawn from two tournaments in India last year, the diplomatic stakes are high and the clock is ticking.
Key Takeaways
PHF chief Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani confirmed Pakistan's participation in the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy depends on Pakistani government clearance.
The tournament runs from 27 October to 5 November 2026 in Jalandhar and Mohali , featuring India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea .
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said on Monday that Pakistan would travel to India, citing the Centre's policy allowing multilateral sporting participation.
India's Sports Ministry memo dated 5 May permits Pakistani athletes to participate in multilateral events hosted in India.
The India-Pakistan league match is scheduled for 1 November in Jalandhar, coinciding with Punjab Day .
Pakistan withdrew from both the Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu and the Men's Asia Cup in Bihar last year, citing bilateral tensions.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chief Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani said on 15 September 2026 that Pakistan's tour to India for the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) — scheduled from 27 October to 5 November in Jalandhar and Mohali — is contingent on clearance from the Pakistani government. The statement, reported by Pakistan's English daily Dawn, underscores the familiar diplomatic overlay that accompanies any India-Pakistan sporting engagement.
What PHF Chief Said
Wani, who also serves as federal secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, made clear that the federation would not act unilaterally on participation. 'The visit of the Pakistan team will depend on government clearance. We will do whatever the government asks us to do,' he said. The statement stops short of confirming or denying participation, effectively deferring to Islamabad's foreign policy calculus.
Punjab CM Signals Pakistan's Participation
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann appeared more optimistic, saying on Monday that Pakistan would travel to India for the tournament. 'There is no problem in multi-national tournaments. Bilateral series between India and Pakistan cannot take place,' Mann said, referencing the Centre's standing policy permitting competition in multilateral events. The India-Pakistan league match is scheduled for 1 November in Jalandhar — coinciding with Punjab Day — and is expected to be the tournament's marquee fixture. 'The India-Pakistan encounter on November 1 in Jalandhar will be one of the biggest attractions of the tournament... sport has its own language,' Mann added.
Centre's Policy Framework
An office memorandum issued by India's Sports Ministry on 5 May stated that 'Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in multilateral events hosted by India,' while also signalling a more accommodating visa regime for athletes, officials, and international federation representatives. This policy provides the formal basis for Pakistan's potential participation, but execution ultimately rests on Islamabad's go-ahead.
Tournament Format and Teams
The Men's Asian Champions Trophy features six nations: India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea. Oman and Bangladesh have been named as reserve teams in the event of withdrawals. The league stage runs from 27 October to 2 November in Jalandhar, with the semifinals on 4 November and the final on 5 November in Mohali.
Recent History of Withdrawals
Pakistan's participation is not guaranteed by precedent. Last year, Pakistan withdrew from the Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu after having already pulled out of the Men's Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, citing heightened bilateral tensions. That back-to-back withdrawal pattern means all parties — organisers, host venues, and broadcasters — are closely watching Islamabad's next move. A repeat withdrawal would deal a significant blow to the tournament's commercial and sporting appeal, particularly given the Punjab Day scheduling of the India-Pakistan clash.
With the league stage less than six weeks away, clarity from Islamabad is expected well before the October deadline for final team confirmations.
Point of View
And while India's Sports Ministry has formally opened the door for multilateral participation, the final word has never resided with PHF. The Punjab Day scheduling of the India-Pakistan match adds political theatre that could cut both ways: it raises the stakes for organisers and broadcasters, but also gives Islamabad a symbolic pressure point. If Pakistan pulls out again, the collateral damage extends beyond hockey — it tests the durability of India's multilateral-events carve-out as a workable diplomatic instrument.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Pakistan play in the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in India?
Pakistan's participation is not yet confirmed. PHF chief Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani said the tour depends on clearance from the Pakistani government, and PHF will follow whatever decision Islamabad makes.
When and where is the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy 2026?
The tournament runs from 27 October to 5 November 2026. League matches are held in Jalandhar from 27 October to 2 November, with the semifinals on 4 November and the final on 5 November in Mohali.
Which teams are participating in the 2026 Hockey Asian Champions Trophy?
Six teams are confirmed: India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea. Oman and Bangladesh have been named as reserve teams in case of withdrawals.
What is India's policy on Pakistan competing in tournaments hosted in India?
A Sports Ministry office memorandum dated 5 May states that Pakistani players and teams can participate in multilateral events hosted by India. Bilateral series between the two countries remain suspended.
Has Pakistan withdrawn from India-hosted tournaments before?
Yes. Last year, Pakistan withdrew from both the Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu and the Men's Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, citing heightened tensions between the two countries.
