KUALA LUMPUR — The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will submit a formal protest to both the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) regarding what they describe as blatant injustices.
The PHF’s response follows the FIH’s revision of the World Cup qualification process, which has made it more difficult for Asian teams to qualify for the 2026 edition.
Previously, Asia was guaranteed three spots through the Asian Cup. In the 2022 edition held in Jakarta, eight teams competed, with South Korea (champions), Malaysia (runners-up), and Japan securing places in the 2023 World Cup in India.
However, for the upcoming 2025 Asian Cup, whose venue and dates are yet to be determined, only the champion will earn an automatic berth, while the remaining teams must compete in World Cup qualifiers in January 2026.
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands and will feature 16 teams.
Speaking to Scoop from Islamabad, PHF president Tariq Masoori Bugti expressed strong dissatisfaction with the FIH’s decision, arguing that it jeopardises the future of the sport in the region.
“This decision is ridiculous and makes no sense. I don’t understand why this change is necessary when Asian teams have excelled in this sport for decades.
“It’s unfair for us to go through a tougher qualification process while European teams seem to have it easier. We put in the same effort as they do in this sport, and there’s no reason we should be treated this way.
“FIH is supposed to be a world governing body, not a European one, and it should treat all teams fairly. What frustrates us most is the silence from the AHF, which is meant to be our voice and representative.
“For years, we’ve qualified for the World Cup through a fair system, but this new format is unjust. I speak not only on behalf of Pakistan but also for neighbouring countries like India and China.
“If FIH continues with this system, the sport could soon disappear from our region. We at PHF will not accept this decision. We will send a protest notice to both FIH and AHF by mid-month,” said Tariq when contacted.
For the record, world number 15 Pakistan has qualified for 13 World Cup editions since the tournament’s inception in 1971.
Known as the Flying Greenhorses by their fans, Pakistan has won the tournament four times (1971, 1978, 1982, and 1994).
Pakistan failed to qualify for the most recent World Cup, held in Bhubaneswar, India. — October 4, 2024