Pakistan will participate in the upcoming Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament scheduled to take place in Punjab, India, from October 27 to November 5, according to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The event will feature six teams: India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Korea, with Oman and Bangladesh named as reserves.

League-stage matches will be held in Jalandhar, while the semi-finals and final are set for Mohali. This marks the first time Punjab is hosting the tournament, which is organized by the Asian Hockey Federation. The competition was not held last year but has returned with India entering as the defending champions, having secured titles in Chennai in 2023 and in Hulunbuir, China, in 2024.

When questioned about whether Pakistan’s participation had received the necessary clearances from the Union government, Mann cited a policy permitting India and Pakistan to compete alongside other nations in multinational sporting events on Indian soil. He stated there is no issue with Pakistan’s inclusion in such tournaments, though bilateral series between India and Pakistan may still face challenges.

Mann expressed the Punjab government’s full support for the event and highlighted the significance of the India-Pakistan match scheduled for November 1 in Jalandhar, which will coincide with Punjab Day celebrations. He described the encounter as a major attraction for hockey fans.

“India and Pakistan may have their rivalries on the hockey field, but sport has its own language,” Mann said, emphasizing that the rivalry is rooted in passion and the excitement of the game rather than hostility. He added that the match embodies the spirit of sport, marked by enthusiastic spectators and the shared love of hockey.