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Pakistan hockey team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt has called for the Asia Cup to be moved out of India due to the current political tensions between the two countries.
Speaking to the media, Ammad Butt said, “The Asia Cup is important for us because it’s a World Cup qualifying event. The situation between Pakistan and India should be considered, and the tournament should be shifted from India.”
He added that the final decision related to participation in the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 will be made according to the government of Pakistan.
On team preparations, Ammad said the national squad is training for the upcoming FIH Nations Cup, where they aim to qualify for the Pro League. “We’ll stay focused from the first match. The players’ morale is high, and we hope to give good results,” he said.
Commenting on a new film being made on hockey, Ammad said it’s a good initiative that can bring fans back to the game. He also confirmed that players’ pending dues have been cleared, which has boosted their confidence.
The Pakistan hockey team is now focusing on both national pride and future international opportunities, starting with the Nations Cup.
The 2025 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup will be the 12th edition of the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup, the quadrennial international men’s field hockey championship of Asia organized by the Asian Hockey Federation. It will be held in Rajgir, India from 27 August to 7 September 2025.
It is worth noting here that India has reportedly finalized plans to exclude Pakistan from the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025, raising serious concerns about the tournament’s fairness and Pakistan’s path to qualify for the Hockey World Cup 2026.
The Pahalgam incident has intensified diplomatic tensions between two neighboring countries, prompting Indian authorities to deny visas to the Pakistani hockey team, putting their participation in doubt.
So far, the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) has not issued any official statement on the matter, and the Indian government has also remained silent.
