'Avoid Tussles With Indians': Pakistan Hockey Federation's Advice To Young Stars

Last Updated:October 13, 2025, 17:47 IST

Pakistan Hockey Federation has asked its youth team to avoid 'tussles' with India at Sultan of Johor Cup after recent no-handshake incidents in cricket.

Hocky representative photo (Credit: AFP)

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has advised its youth national team players to avoid any confrontation or ’emotional tussle’ with Indian players and concentrate on their game during their Sultan of Johor Cup match in Johar Bahru, Malaysia, on Tuesday.

The precedent for border tensions in the wake of ‘Operation Sindoor’ and the Pahalgam terror attack, eking out on sports fields, was set by the Indian and Pakistani men’s cricket teams during the 2025 Asia Cup.

The Indian side did not shake hands with Pakistani players, and the latter responded by boycotting presentation ceremonies and press conferences, registering complaints with the International Cricket Council (ICC) against the match referee and other media statements. It boiled over into a complete meltdown, where India is yet to receive their trophy for the tournament after refusing to take it from the Asian Cricket Council chief and the Pakistani minister, Mohsin Naqvi.

Recently, the no-handshake policy continued when India and Pakistan’s women’s teams met in Colombo for the 2025 World Cup’s group stage. Similar gestures were seen in football tournaments, where some Pakistani players were also seen making provocative celebrations.

The same gesture is expected from the Indian junior men’s hockey team in its match against Pakistan. News agency PTI quoted a senior official of PHF as saying that the players had been told to be mentally prepared for a no-handshakes policy.

“The players have been told that if the Indian players don’t shake hands before or after the match, just ignore the gesture and move on. They have also been told to avoid any emotional tussles or signs during the game," he said.

Earlier, Pakistan had refused to send its team to India for the men’s hockey Asia Cup in August in Rajgir, Bihar, with Bangladesh taking their place. In this tournament, Pakistan started their campaign with a convincing 7-1 win over hosts Malaysia, but lost their second match to Great Britain.

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