PHF requests AHF to shift Asian Champions Trophy out of India or relocate Pakistan matches

PHF requests AHF to shift Asian Champions Trophy out of India or relocate Pakistan matches.

Key points

• Kashif Abbasi Published September 16, 2026 Updated September 16, 2026 08: 35pm.
• This person is additionally federal secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, confirmed to Dawn on Wednesday that the federation had formally approached the AHF.
• The tournament is scheduled to feature hosts India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.
• Kashif Ali Abbasi is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn with 17 years of experience in journalism.
• Pakistan had additionally withdrawn from last year's Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the two countries.

Kashif Abbasi Published September 16, 2026 Updated September 16, 2026 08: 35pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

Notably, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has formally asked the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to move next month's men's Asian Champions Trophy out of India or shift all of Pakistan's matches to a neutral venue, citing the "sensitive bilateral situation" between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the request effectively rules out Pakistan playing their matches at the tournament's scheduled venues in Jalandhar and Mohali unless the AHF agrees to the proposed change.

PHF president Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani. This person is additionally federal secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, confirmed to Dawn on Wednesday that the federation had formally approached the AHF.

Notably, the development came two days after Wani had informed Dawn that Pakistan's proposed tour to India was subject to administration clearance and that the PHF would abide by whatever decision the administration took.

Sources in the PHF remarked the latest decision to seek a neutral venue had been taken on the direction of the federal administration.

In an official statement issued on Wednesday, Wani remarked the request had been produced to ensure a "safe, dignified and conducive environment" for Pakistan's players and authorities.

"The Pakistan Hockey Federation has formally requested the Asian Hockey Federation to relocate the Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026 tournament or shift all of Pakistan's matches to a neutral venue, " Wani remarked in the statement.

Notably, the PHF chief, nevertheless, produced it clear that Pakistan remained committed to the tournament and was willing to face India.

"Pakistan remains fully committed to participating in the Asian Champions Trophy and international hockey and is ready to play against all FIH member nations, including India, " he remarked.

Notably, the PHF president additionally stated the federation hoped the AHF would consider the proposal positively to ensure Pakistan's full participation in the tournament.

In practice, the request comes two days after Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann remarked Pakistan would participate in the tournament, prompting the PHF to clarify that no decision had been taken on the team's visit to India.

Mann, according to a Press Trust of India (PTI) report, had remarked Pakistan would be among the six teams competing in the Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held from Oct 27 to Nov 5.

"There is no difficulty in multi-national tournaments. Maybe individual series cannot take place, " Mann remarked at an event in Mohali when asked concerning Pakistan's participation and whether the requisite clearances had been obtained.

In practice, the tournament is scheduled to feature hosts India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.

While the semi-finals and final are scheduled to be played in Mohali on Nov 4 and 5, jalandhar is to host the opening ceremony and all league-stage matches from Oct 27 to Nov 2.

Pakistan's proposed match against India is scheduled for Nov 1 in Jalandhar.

While Pakistan is seeking to avoid playing its fixtures in India, it is not seeking to withdraw from the competition, the PHF's latest move means that.

According to The federation has specifically, it is prepared to play India and other FIH member nations at a neutral venue.

Kashif Ali Abbasi is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn with 17 years of experience in journalism. He covers sports, the education sector, and civic problems. He can be discovered on X at @AbbasiKashif833.

Taken together, the developments around PHF requests AHF to shift Asian Champions Trophy out of India or point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.