Pakistan Hockey Federation Demands Neutral Venue for Junior World Cup Matches

The ongoing sporting tensions between Pakistan and India are likely to affect the Junior Hockey World Cup scheduled to take place later this year.

According to sources in Pakistani media, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has formally raised concerns over the upcoming Junior Hockey World Cup in India, requesting that Pakistan’s fixtures be shifted to a neutral venue.

PHF has reportedly sent a detailed letter to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), outlining its reservations about sending the national junior squad to India. The letter cites serious security concerns for Pakistani players and stresses the need to ensure their safety and well-being during the high-profile tournament.

The 2025 Junior Hockey World Cup is scheduled to take place in India from November 28, 2025, but the PHF has insisted that Pakistan’s matches be staged outside the host nation. Officials in Lahore believe that the political climate and security situation make it unsafe for the team to travel to their neighbouring land.

Also Read: Azam Khan Reveals Why He Hasn’t Focused on His Fitness

The sporting hostilities between Pakistan and India were on full display during the 2025 Cricket Asia Cup and are unlikely to be resolved anytime soon, prompting PHF’s demands. If Pakistan boycotts the tournament in India, it will not be without precedent. PHF already withdrew its team from the Hockey Asia Cup earlier this year, costing them a chance at direct qualification for the Hockey World Cup next year.

This latest development follows the official announcement of the Junior Hockey World Cup schedule, with Pakistan included in the itinerary despite previously warning that a boycott was on the cards if the tournament venue was not changed.

The ball is now in the court of world hockey’s governing body, which will have to weigh Pakistan’s security concerns against the logistics of hosting one of the sport’s biggest youth tournaments. FIH has been accommodating before, but whether they take the step of moving a section of the tournament to a neutral venue remains to be seen.