No hurdles in Pakistan’s presence for Asian Champions Trophy, says Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

Union Sports Minister Thakur, left, and Hockey India president Tirkey unveil the Asian Champions Trophy.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy hockey is certain with the Sports Minister indicating there would be no government hurdles to the team’s presence at the tournament.

Unveiling the tournament trophy at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Thursday, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said: “In all multinational competitions, irrespective of the sport, we believe it is the players and teams that participate and we welcome all players,” although he did not specify when the formalities would be completed.

The Pakistan football team recently received visas for the SAFF Championship at the last moment and landed in the country barely 24 hours before their first game.

Besides India and Pakistan, the tournament, starting on August 3, will feature Korea, Malaysia, Japan and China at the revamped and re-laid Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai.

The trophy will be taken through Chandigarh, Guwahati, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram over the next week, accompanied by promotional activities, reaching Chennai on July 20 before travelling to different districts of Tamil Nadu.

“The trophy tour will help create awareness about the event and promote the sport and will serve as a testament to the growing popularity of the sport in our country,” Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said.

Also present were several former India stars including Harbinder Singh, Ashok Diwan, Zafar Iqbal, H.J.S. Chimni and Jagbir Singh.