Pakistan excluded from Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey 2025

 

Pakistan excluded from Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey 2025

Asher Butt 

Pakistan has been surprisingly excluded from this year’s prestigious Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament, despite reaching the final in the previous edition and earning widespread recognition for their silver medal finish. The tournament, scheduled to take place in Ipoh, Malaysia, from November 22 to 29, will feature teams from Belgium, Canada, Germany, India, Ireland, and host nation Malaysia.

According to a social media post by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), Pakistan’s name is notably absent from the list of invited teams. Sources within the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) confirmed that the organizers did not extend an invitation to Pakistan, raising concerns about the selection process for the tournament.

Interestingly, Japan, the team that defeated Pakistan in the final last year to claim the gold medal, has also been excluded from this year’s lineup. The reasons behind the omission of both teams remain unclear, sparking discussions within the hockey community.

Last year, Pakistan’s performance in the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament was widely celebrated at the government level, with the national team receiving appreciation for their efforts. Their exclusion from this year’s event comes as a surprise, given their commendable showing in the previous edition.

The Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament is one of the most prestigious events in international hockey, attracting top teams from around the world. This year’s competition will see Belgium, Canada, Germany, India, Ireland, and Malaysia vying for the title in Ipoh.