Post by : Maya Rahman

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed that Oman will replace Pakistan in the upcoming Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025, set to take place in Tamil Nadu from November 28 to December 10. The tournament will be hosted across two cities — Chennai and Madurai. Oman secured their participation as the next highest-ranked team from the Junior Asia Cup 2024 following Pakistan’s withdrawal.

According to the FIH, the Pakistan Hockey Federation officially notified that it would not be accepting the invitation to compete in the Men’s Junior World Cup. Pakistan had earlier qualified for the event based on their performance in the Junior Asia Cup.
In a statement, the FIH said, “Pakistan Hockey Federation had notified the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that they have not accepted the invitation to participate in the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025.”

With Pakistan’s decision to withdraw, Oman will now take their place in Group B of the tournament. The group also includes India, Chile, and Switzerland. This inclusion marks a major opportunity for Oman’s young hockey players to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Oman’s participation reflects the FIH’s goal of promoting inclusivity and providing more countries with opportunities to compete internationally.

Pakistan’s uncertainty over participation led to a delay in the official draw of the tournament. The FIH had postponed the draw for almost a month to allow Pakistan time to consult with its government.
Eventually, the draw ceremony went ahead at FIH headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, instead of being held in the host nation as is usually the case. The delay and eventual withdrawal created scheduling and organizational challenges for the event organizers.

This marks the second instance where Pakistan has withdrawn from a major hockey event hosted in India. Earlier, the Pakistan team also pulled out of the Men’s Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar. Bangladesh was named as their replacement for that tournament.
Pakistan’s absence from that competition also cost them a chance to qualify for next year’s World Cup, as the event served as a qualifying round for the global championship.

The 2025 edition of the Men’s and Women’s Junior World Cups will be historic as both tournaments will feature 24 teams for the first time. This expansion is part of the FIH’s Empowerment and Engagement strategy, which aims to increase global participation and visibility in hockey.
By expanding the number of teams, FIH hopes to provide more countries the chance to compete at a high level and inspire young athletes around the world.

Germany, the winners of the 2023 edition held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, will enter the 2025 tournament as defending champions. Their dominance in the youth level continues to inspire European hockey programs.
Meanwhile, Oman’s addition to the lineup adds a new dimension of competition from the Gulf region. The team will look to make the most of this rare opportunity to compete against some of the world’s strongest junior teams, including host nation India.

Oman’s inclusion in the 2025 Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup showcases the FIH’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity, ensuring that all regions are represented in major tournaments. While Pakistan’s absence will be felt, the tournament promises to bring together emerging talent from across the world in an event that highlights the sport’s growing global appeal.
The focus now shifts to Chennai and Madurai, where young players will battle not only for the title but also for a chance to make their mark on the international hockey scene.

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