PSB bans all sports federations from competing in India

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has placed a ban on all national sports federations from taking part in competitions held in India, citing serious security concerns.

In a notification issued to the federations on Saturday, the board said that no team or individual athlete may commit to any event in India without prior consultation and written approval from the PSB.

"Keeping in view the prevailing security concerns, the PSB Board in its 34th meeting held on 23rd July 2025 has decided that no National Sports Federation shall commit to participate in any sporting event in India without prior consultation with the Pakistan Sports Board," the notice read.

The board has also directed all national federations to formally seek clearance before considering involvement in any sporting event across the border.

The move comes at a time of renewed political tensions between the two countries, which have frequently disrupted sporting exchanges in the past.

Earlier this month, Pakistan withdrew its national hockey team from the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup in India, citing both rising political strains and safety concerns for the players.

According to official sources, Pakistan maintains that sports should be kept separate from politics, but alleges that India has continued to politicise sporting events, leading to what they describe as a “hostile and unsafe” atmosphere for visiting Pakistani athletes.

The Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to take place in Rajgir, India, from 27 August to 7 September.