Sports federations to review their international participations amid Iran-Israel war

KARACHI: Pakistan’s sports federations have to review their participations in international events in the context of escalation of Iran-Israel war that might engage the whole Middle East, parts of the South Asian region, and other parts of the world.

The Iran-Israel conflict started with Israel’s air strikes on Iran’s key facilities and killing key personalities nine day ago has gone bigger with the involvement of the USA that attacked Iran’s three nuclear sites on Sunday.

Now, this escalation of the war with Iran’s retaliation might engulf the whole Middle East and parts of the South Asian region (where Pakistan and India has already having very hostile relations), and other parts of the world.

In this context, the country’s 10 sports federations have planned to participate in more than 60 international events in the year 2025-26, according to their annual calendars. It has been learnt that 14 out of 45 national sports federations have submitted their annual sports calendars to Pakistan Sports Board and 10 NSFs showed intent to participate in more than 60 international events in 2025 and 2026.

These participations of the NSFs in the international events might get seriously affected as a number of events might be cancelled or disrupted due to the ongoing Iran-Israel war and Russia-Ukraine war, hence a blow to national athletes and teams.

According to details, Pakistan Billiards Sports Federation planned to send teams to eight international events which include Asian 6 Reds & Team Event in June in Sri Lanka, Commonwealth Billiard Sports Championship in July in Mauritius, IBSF World U-17, U-21, Masters & 6 Red Snooker Championship in July in Bahrain, World Games in August in China, World Team & 6 Red Snooker Championship in August in Mongolia, World Snooker Championship (Men, Women & Masters) in November in Qatar, Asian Men Snooker Championships in February 2026, and Asian U-21 Men Snooker Championship in April 2026.

Pakistan Hockey Federation is to feature in 10 international events which include Pakistan Junior Hockey Team Europe Tour during June-July 2025, Junior Johor Cup in Oct–Nov in Malaysia, Junior World Cup in Nov-Dec in India, Junior Inter-Club Hockey Champion Team International Tour, Men’s FIH Nation Cup in June in Malaysia, Pakistan Senior Hockey Team Europe Tour during Aug–Sep, Men’s Senior Asia Cup in Aug-Sep in India, South Asian Games in Pakistan, Men’s FIH Nation Cup in February 2026, Pakistan Senior Hockey Team Europe Tour during April 2026 while the federation will also send officials for FIH & AHF Coaching/Umpiring/Technical Official Courses.

Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation is to send teams to nine international events which include JJIF World Cup in August in Croatia, 20th Balkan Open in September in Athens, Asian Youth Games from in October in Bahrain, JJIF World Championships from in November in Thailand, Islamic Games in November in Saudia Arabia, JJAU South Asian Championship in December in Islamabad, Flanders Open in January 2026 in Belgium, Asian Championship in April 2026 in the UAE, and World Championship in Germany.

Pakistan Netball Federation plans to send teams to six 6 international events which include Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship in June in South Korea, International U-16 Girls Netball Championship in July in Australia, World Youth Netball Championship in September at Gibralter, Asian Women Netball Championship in June 2026 in Hong Kong, Asian Indoor & Martial Art Games in Thailand, and Asian Men’s Netball Championship in December in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the federation will also participate in the Congress of World Netball in September at Gibralter and send officials for Asian Coaching Course in March in Singapore and Asian Netball Umpiring Course in June in Singapore.

Pakistan Swimming Federation has planned to feature in five international events which include World Aquatic Swimming Championship (50 M) in July-August in Singapore, World Aquatic Junior Swimming Championship (50 M) in August in Romania, 3rd Asian Youth Games in October in Bahrain, Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) in November in KSA, and SAG in January 2026 in Lahore.