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Pakistan Withdraws From Hockey Jr World Cup In India; Cites Cricket Handshake Snub

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 2 weeks ago | Oct 25, 2025 03:21 pm IST
Pakistan Withdraws From Hockey Jr World Cup In India; Cites Cricket Handshake Snub

Well, this is a big one. Pakistan has officially pulled its junior men’s hockey team out of the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025 in India. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) just confirmed the news on Friday, October 24, 2025, sending ripples through the sports world just a month before the tournament was set to kick off in Chennai and Madurai.

Key Takeaways

  • Pakistan has withdrawn from the FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025, scheduled in India from November 28 to December 28.
  • The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) cited security concerns, deteriorating sporting ties, and a new Indian government policy.
  • A controversial incident from the recent cricket Asia Cup, where Indian players allegedly refused to shake hands, was also a stated reason.
  • The FIH confirmed the withdrawal on October 24 and will announce a replacement team for Group B soon.
  • This is Pakistan’s second withdrawal from a major hockey tournament in India this year.

So, Why Did They Really Pull Out?

Look, it’s complicated. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) didn’t just point to one thing. Their Secretary General, Rana Mujahid, laid out several reasons. He talked about deteriorating sporting ties between the two nations and major security concerns following events like the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025.

There’s also a new policy from the Indian government that restricts bilateral sporting contests with Pakistan, even though it allows for participation in multi-nation tournaments. The PHF isn’t happy about it. Mujahid has formally asked the FIH to arrange a neutral venue for their future participation, arguing that missing major events held in India is hurting their hockey development. This is the second time this year they’ve withdrawn from a tournament in India, after pulling out of the Men’s Asia Cup in Rajgir back in September.

The Shocking Cricket Connection

But here’s the part that has everyone talking. One of the most surprising reasons cited by the PHF was something that happened on a cricket pitch, not a hockey field. Rana Mujahid mentioned the alleged refusal of Indian cricket players to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the recent Asia Cup. Really.

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It seems that incident, combined with the other political tensions, was the final straw. A high-profile meeting was held on October 22 to discuss the situation, and the decision to withdraw was made public the next day. For many, linking a hockey tournament to a cricket controversy feels like a massive escalation.

India’s Reaction: Caught Off Guard?

And what about the hosts? Hockey India seems to have been caught completely by surprise. Their secretary general, Bholanth Singh, said he was unaware of Pakistan’s withdrawal plans. He mentioned that PHF officials had actually confirmed their participation just a month and a half ago.

This suggests a major communication breakdown or a very sudden change of heart from Pakistan’s side. With Pakistan originally placed in Group B alongside India, Chile, and Switzerland, the FIH is now scrambling to find a replacement team. What do you think? Should politics and sports be kept separate, or is it impossible in situations like this?