Pakistani hockey authorities have sought government security clearance to take part in next month's World Cup in India, amid strained sporting relations between the neighbours.
Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Asif Bajwa says the government clearanace is necessary because they fear security problems in India during the tournament.
Tensions between the two countries have risen after last week's auction for the Indian Premier League ended without any Pakistani cricketers being chosen for the competition.
Following the dispute, several former hockey players said the team should boycott the hockey World Cup, but Pakistan's sports minister Ijaz Jakhrani says it's a global event and the national team will compete.
The four-time world and three-time Olympic champions have not won a major hockey title since their World Cup win in Australia in 1994.
