Pakistan did not pay millions, Malaysia excluded from Azlan Shah Cup, did not invite

The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) has not extended the invitation to the Pakistan hockey team for the prestigious Azlan Shah Cup 2025 to take place in the country in November of this year. This has been done after Pakistan failed to clear the amount owed to the Johor Hockey Association.

According to media reports, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had to pay around US $ 10,349 (about 8.6 lakh Pakistani rupees) to Johor Hockey Association. This amount was related to the accommodation, travel and other arrangements of the team and officials in the Johor Hockey Cup 2023 held in October last year.

A senior PHF source said that the Johor association has recently sent an official letter to the federation, demanding payment of dues using strong language. It is also mentioned in this letter that if the amount is not paid soon, then this matter will be placed before the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

If sources are to be believed, when the Pakistan team went to Malaysia to play the Johor Hockey Cup, many PHF officials and their families also accompanied the team. The organizers had made arrangements for the stay and food of the players only, but the PHF officials stayed with their entire family in the same luxury hotel in which the players stayed. These included the former president of PHF. The organizers had already made it clear that the PHF itself would have to bear the expenses of the officials, but this was not done.

Japan, which won the Azlan Shah Cup by defeating Pakistan in the final last year, will also not participate in the tournament due to matches elsewhere, but two consecutive Olympic bronze medalists (2021 Tokyo, 2024 Paris) India are expected to participate in the tournament after a long gap of six years. The Indian hockey team will be seen in the Azlan Shah Cup for the first time since 2019.

The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is named after the ninth king of Malaysia, who loved hockey very much. Its first edition was played in 1983. Initially the tournament was held every two years, but from 1998 it started being held every year. In the first edition, Australia won the trophy by defeating Pakistan in the final, while India finished third.

Australia has won the tournament a record 10 times (1983, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018). India has won the trophy five times (1985, 1991, 1995, 2009, 2010) and Pakistan has won it three times (1999, 2000, 2003).