The ongoing tension between the two neighbouring counties effects numerous areas and one of which is sports.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation threatened to pull out of the next year’s World Cup which will take place in India unless assured of easy procurement of visas and full security for its players and staff at the event. The World Cup is scheduled to be held in November-December 2018.
Pakistan raised the issue at the recent meeting with International Hockey Federation president Narinder Batra in Dubai.
Pakistan officials stated that their junior team could not participate in the world cup earlier this year as the Indian High Commission in Islamabad had refused to issue visas despite PHF applying on time for the Junior World Cup. In order to avoid a similar situation, the Pakistan Federation wants confirmation other they are willing to skip the next year’s World Cup.