Oman has stepped forward with a security guarantee for the upcoming Men’s Asian Games Hockey Qualifiers in Muscat, clearing the path for Bangladesh and other participating nations to travel despite rising tensions across the Middle East.
The Asian Hockey Federation confirmed the tournament will proceed as scheduled, with matches planned between 28 March and 5 April in the Omani capital.
The confirmation arrived after a nervous few days inside the Bangladesh Hockey Federation. Regional conflict triggered doubts across several teams and forced officials to pause travel preparations earlier in the week.
Then Muscat sent a message that cut through the uncertainty. BHF general secretary Lt Col (Retd) Riazul Hasan revealed the contents of that letter. “The matches will take place in Oman as scheduled,” he said, pointing directly to the reassurance from the hosts.
Oman did not stop at a basic confirmation. The organisers promised protection if the situation demands it. “They wrote that international-standard security will be provided if required,” Riaz explained. The phrase carries diplomatic weight, signalling that Muscat intends to shield the tournament from the regional turbulence.
That assurance allowed Bangladesh to restart its logistical engine. Travel plans had stalled after the Asian Hockey Federation temporarily halted movement earlier this week. Once the clearance arrived, BHF officials immediately reopened discussions on flights and scheduling.
The team now targets a 25 March departure. Riaz admitted the federation must still navigate rising travel costs. Airlines across the region have already pushed ticket prices upward, forcing BHF officials to hunt for workable routes. Training began on 5 February and now enters its final stretch. Only a few days of preparation remains before the squad heads toward Muscat.
