Pakistan Hockey Team's Asia Cup 2025 Entry: Why Denying Visas Could Jeopardise India's 2036 Olympic Hosting Ambitions

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New Delhi, July 4: The Sports Ministry's decision to allow Pakistan's hockey teams to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and the Junior World Cup in India has triggered a wave of outrage among certain sections of the public.

The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 27 to September 7, while the Junior World Cup is set to take place in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10.

While the criticism stems largely from ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially after the terror attack in Pahalgam in April and India's military response via Operation Sindoor, the move to permit Pakistan's entry into multi-lateral sporting events is not just constitutionally correct, but necessary under the Olympic Charter.

Welcoming the move, former Indian hockey captain and current Hockey India president, Dilip Tirkey, expressed his approval of the Indian government's decision to allow Pakistan's hockey team to participate in upcoming tournaments in India. However, he mentioned that he has not yet received official confirmation from the sports ministry regarding this decision.

"This is good publicity for the game, and it will also be good for the success of the tournament," Tirkey stated.

Why Mixing Politics with Sport Will Be A Dangerous Precedent For India

A senior official from the Sports Ministry clarified that barring Pakistan from participating in multilateral competitions hosted in India would amount to a violation of the Olympic Charter - a foundational document of the Olympic Movement, which India, as an aspiring host of the 2036 Summer Olympics, is expected to uphold.

"We are not against any team competing in India in a multi-national competition. If we try to stop Pakistan, it would be seen as a violation of the Olympic Charter," a ministry source said.

The Ministry also confirmed that similar rules would apply to Pakistan's participation in the Junior Shooting World Cup and the World Para Athletics Championships later this year.

India has officially nominated Ahmedabad as its proposed host city for the 2036 Summer Olympics, marking a clear and formal move in its pursuit of the Games. While the IOC has temporarily paused the host city selection process to encourage broader member participation, India remains firm in projecting itself as a strong contender. It faces stiff competition from other interested nations, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Chile.

Why the Olympic Charter Matters

The Olympic Charter mandates that "every individual must have access to the practice of sport without discrimination of any kind." This includes a non-discrimination based on nationality clause that India risks violating if it denies visas based on political differences.

India is not alone in walking this tightrope. Even nations at war, such as Russia and Ukraine, continue to field athletes in the same international competitions without obstruction. That, officials say, is the global norm.

Consequences of Denial: India Has Already Faced Sanctions

This is not the first time India has found itself at a crossroads between politics and sport. In 2019, after denying visas to Pakistani shooters for the ISSF World Cup, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) took serious action:

• Suspended all discussions with India on hosting future Olympic events.
• Revoked Olympic qualification status of the men's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event.
• Recommended that international federations refrain from awarding events to India unless the government offered written guarantees of visa access.

In 2019, Malaysia denied visas to Israeli athletes scheduled to participate in the World Para Swimming Championships. As a result, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) stripped Malaysia of its hosting rights. The event was subsequently relocated to London, with the IPC making it clear that the principles of inclusivity and the separation of sport from political issues must be upheld. The incident served as a strong reminder that host nations are obligated to ensure entry for all eligible athletes, regardless of political tensions.

A decade ago, in 2009, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) faced global backlash when it denied a visa to Israeli tennis player Shahar Pe'er for the Dubai Tennis Championships.

In response, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) imposed a fine on the tournament organisers and demanded strict adherence to future compliance. Following international pressure, the UAE reversed its stance, and Israeli players were granted visas in subsequent years.

These episodes highlighted how denying entry based on nationality could lead to reputational damage and penalties from global sporting bodies. India cannot afford to repeat these mistakes, especially with its ambitions to host the 2036 Olympics gaining traction. While domestic backlash may continue, the stance is in alignment with global sporting norms.

The Bigger Picture: India's Global Sporting Image

By upholding the Olympic Charter, India could send a clear message - it respects international laws and values, regardless of bilateral political tensions. Denying visas to Pakistani players might satisfy short-term public sentiment, but could irreparably damage India's image as a responsible sporting host.

Allowing Pakistan's hockey teams to compete in the Asia Cup 2025 and the Junior World Cup is not a sign of weakness - it's a sign of global maturity. India must continue to lead by example on the global sports stage if it truly wants to host the Olympic Games one day.