The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has reportedly written to the Asian Games organisers in Japan on September 16, 2026. It has requested that no Pakistani official be present at medal ceremonies involving India’s cricket teams.
The move comes after recent incidents involving India and Pakistani officials at cricket events. India has already refused to receive trophies from Pakistani counterparts at major international tournaments.
The latest incident came after India Women beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final in Dubai on September 13. The Indian players did not collect the trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi.
Naqvi is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. BCCI Chairman Devajit Saikia said the decision was linked to Naqvi’s position.
“We have decided not to take the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the main leaders of Pakistan,” Saikia said, as quoted by MyKhel.
India and Pakistan could meet in an Asian Games medal match
A similar situation took place in September 2025. India’s men’s team also declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi after beating Pakistan in the final. The presentation ceremony was delayed for more than an hour.
Relations between India and Pakistan have remained tense since the Pahalgam attack in April 2025. Bilateral cricket between the two countries has also stopped. They now meet only in ICC and ACC tournaments at neutral venues.
The no-handshake policy has also been followed in recent matches. India’s women’s team did not exchange handshakes with Pakistan during their Women’s Asia Cup 2026 group-stage match.
At the Asian Games, India’s men’s and women’s teams are in separate groups from Pakistan. India’s women’s team will enter the cricket competition at the quarterfinal stage. This means India and Pakistan can meet only in a gold or bronze medal match.
The IOA’s request is aimed at avoiding another trophy presentation dispute. It also seeks to settle the protocol issue before the Games begin. The final decision from the Asian Games organisers has not been confirmed.
