The Indian hockey team are firm favourites to win the Asia Cup 2025 as the Rajgir Sports Complex gets ready to host Harmanpreet Singh and Co for the first time. But we mustn’t forget, continental tournaments often spring a surprise.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Thursday confirmed that the Pakistan men’s hockey team has accepted the invitation to participate in the 2025-26 season of the Pro League.
The 12th edition of the Men's Asia Cup hockey tournament is scheduled to be held from August 29 to September 7. The tournament will take place in Rajgir, Bihar. South Korea will enter the quadrennial tournament as defending champion.
The 12 August deadline passed long ago, but the Pakistan Hockey Federation has still not managed to arrange the financial support needed to take part in the FIH Pro League. The Pakistan government is ready to help, but only under a major condition.
Pakistan and Oman had withdrawn from the upcoming Men's Hockey Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, with the former citing security concern as the reason for their exit. Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, who is also the vice-president of the Asian Hockey Federation, disagrees with their stance.
Indian men’s hockey team would enter the Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir, Bihar, with only one aim -- to win the tournament as it will guarantee them a place at 2026 Hockey World Cup.
The Pakistan hockey team have opted to withdraw from the Men's Asia Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Rajgir, Bihar from 29 August to 7 September, despite the Indian government offering to issue visas for their players.
Bangladesh is likely to replace Pakistan in the men's Asia Cup hockey tournament to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29, if the latter fails to confirm participation in the next couple of days.
As India celebrates its 79th Independence Day, let's look back at five iconic moments in Indian sports history that brought immense joy and marked significant milestones, transforming the country's sporting landscape.
The legendary Vece Paes, who won an Olympic bronze medal with the hockey team and touched many sportspersons with his medical expertise, passed away on Thursday. The Indian sporting fraternity is in shock as tributes pour in.
By playing against one of the world’s highest-ranked teams Australia, India will aim to fine tune their combinations ahead of the upcoming crucial Asia Cup 2025 in Bihar.
The chances of a India vs Pakistan hockey match during the Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir, Bihar, now looks extremely bleak as the Pakistan hockey team has reportedly made a U-turn after applying for the visas.
In what was a cross-learning experience, players and coaches discussed the shared physical and tactical demands of hockey and kabaddi, including strength, speed, agility, and tactical awareness.
If the report turns out to be true, the Pakistan Cricket Board will sponsor the national hockey team’s participation in the FIH Pro League, but the hockey federation will have no say in the matter. The PCB will control every financial decision.
The Pakistan Sports Board has informed national federations against committing to tournaments taking place in India amid political tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi, with the two nuclear-armed neighbours having engaged in a military conflict in May.
Pakistan hockey team needs approximately $2.5 million to compete in the FIH Pro League 2025-26 but they are struggling to raise funds and the federation is now dependent on PM Shehbaz Sharif.
Pakistan's hockey teams will not travel to their neighbouring country for the upcoming events scheduled to take place in India. The decision however, could backfire for Pakistan as it could jeopardise their spot in next year's World Cup.
Pakistan are scheduled to take part in the Men's Asia Cup and the Men's Junior World Cup, both tournaments taking place in India later this year. The development comes just two months after a military conflict broke out between the two nations due to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Sporting ties are yet to resume between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. In such a scenario, there's no guarantee Pakistan hockey team will be in India in August for Asia Cup 2025.
The draw ceremony for the upcoming Men's Junior World Cup, which will be hosted by Chennai and Madurai from 28 November to 10 December, took place at FIH's Lausanne headquarters on Saturday in which arch-rivals India and Pakistan were clubbed together in Pool B.
India ended their FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 campaign on a high with a thrilling 4-3 win over Belgium. It was a special outing for Dilpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh who completed 100 International Caps.
India went down 3–6 to Belgium in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024–25 clash in Antwerp. Despite goals from Dilpreet, Mandeep, and Rohidas, Belgium dominated with a clinical display led by Arthur Van Doren and Tom Boon.
It was goals by Tim Brand (4'), Blake Govers (5') and Cooper Burns (18') that set up the victory for Australia while Sanjay (3') and Dilpreet Singh (36') scored for India.
Indian men's hockey team took a 2-0 lead through goals from Abhishek but Australia bounced back to beat Harmanpreet Singh and Co 3-2 in the ongoing FIH Hockey Pro League.
India suffered a heartbreaking 1-2 defeat to Argentina in their final match of the European leg of the FIH Pro League in Amstelveen. A dramatic penalty stroke drama involving Jugraj Singh and video referrals marked India’s fourth consecutive loss.
India suffered a third straight defeat in the FIH Pro League 2025, losing 3-4 to Argentina due to defensive lapses. Harmanpreet Singh scored twice but Argentina capitalised on Indian errors to seal the win.
Pakistan's participation in the Men's Asia Cup, that will be held in Rajgir, Bihar from 27 August to 7 September this year, appears doubtful following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and the subsequent military conflict between New Delhi and Islamabad.
The Pakistan hockey team is scheduled to visit India for the Men's Hockey Asia Cup 2025 in August-September, but the chances of that happening now appear bleak.
Vandana Katariya has established an exceptional legacy in Indian women's hockey, amassing 320 international caps and 158 goals, making her the most-capped player in the nation's history.
India had declined to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, citing security concerns. Despite this, the Pakistan hockey team plans to participate in the upcoming Hockey Asia Cup hosted by India.