Pakistan Men's Junior Hockey Team Will Need Government Clearance Before Applying Visa For FIH Hockey World Cup 2025 In India, States PHF
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has been asked to secure Pakistan government clearance before confirming participation in the FIH Junior World Cup 2025, which will take place in India. Pakistan earned their qualification spot by finishing second in Men's Junior Hockey Asia Cup 2024.
Lahore, Dec 20: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has been told to secure government clearance before confirming participation in the FIH Junior World Cup scheduled in India at the end of next year. PHF Secretary-General Rana Mujahid said the team would require a No Objection Certificate from the federal government for the national squad to travel for the FIH event to be held in December of 2025. Latest Hockey Rankings: Indian Men’s Hockey Team End 2024 in Fifth Place; Women’s Team Placed Ninth.
"Normally we have always been permitted by our government to play in major events in India in recent years despite the strained relations between the two countries. But now we have been informed to first get clearance before finalising the team and confirming participation," he told the media here.
The Pakistan junior team was unable to take part in the junior World Cup held in Lucknow in December 2016 after the players were not issued visas because of late submission of applications. Pakistan qualified for the event after finishing runners-up in the Asia Cup held in Oman recently. The Green-shirts lost the continental final to India 3-5.
"The Junior World Cup is important for us as we intend to build a strong senior squad which can qualify for the next World Cup and Olympics, something we have not done for the last two editions of the summer games," Mujahid said. India Win Men's Junior Hockey Asia Cup 2024, Beat Pakistan 5-3 in Thrilling Final to Lift Third Consecutive Title.
According to the PHF secretary, the national senior hockey championship would be held in Karachi from December 27 to January 8. He also spoke about the financial woes of the PHF but said the situation had improved and the federation had recently cleared outstanding daily allowances and other dues of senior and junior team players and officials.
"The government is supporting us and we are hopeful the Sindh government will also release our annual grant soon."
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