Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandviya has made a big statement on sports programs with Pakistan. “We do not mind playing any international sports program with Pakistan, whether it is cricket, hockey or any other game,” he said. But when it comes to bilateral sports programs, everyone knows about the government's attitude. Let us tell you that India has made it clear that it will not participate in any bilateral sports program with Pakistan, a shelter for terrorism.
Hockey Asia Cup from August 27 Mandviya said that the Pakistan Hockey Federation has sought approval from its government to participate in the two tournaments in India. “We will give him a visa for the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup Hockey Tournament, but now it depends on his government whether he sends the team,” the sports minister said. The Asia Cup is proposed to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 27 to September 7.
181 hockey matches have been played between India and Pakistan. Pakistan have won 82 matches and India have won 67. 32 matches were drawn.
The National Sports Governance Bill will be introduced in the monsoon session Sports Minister Mansukh Mandviya said that the National Sports Governance Bill will be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament, which starts on July 21. Under this bill, a regulatory board will be formed which will have the authority to recognize and fund the National Sports Federation (NSF). The board will also ensure that the Sports Federation comply with the highest administrative, financial and moral standards.
The Asia Cup will get direct access to the World Cup The Hockey World Cup will be held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from August 14 to 30 next year. The Asia Cup winning team gets direct entrance to the World Cup. The 5 -time champion is the defending champion in the South Korea Asia Cup. India and Pakistan are waiting for their fourth title.
Apart from India and Pakistan, Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Oman and Chinese Taipei will also participate in the Hockey Asia Cup. 4-4 teams will be divided into 2 groups. The semifinals will be played between the top 2 teams of both groups and the final will be played on September 7.
Image Credit: Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).