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India want Davis Cup tie moved from Pakistan amid rising tension
India have asked the International Tennis Federation to shift their upcoming Davis Cup tie from Pakistan to a neutral venue due to escalating political tensions between the two nations.
The Indian team are scheduled to tour Islamabad for the Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie to be held on September 14 and 15. However, after India's recent move to revoke the special autonomy status of occupied Kashmir, ties between Pakistan and India have been strained.
Pakistan responded to Delhi's move by downgrading diplomatic ties with India amid a military lockdown in Indian-occupied Kashmir, and suspending cross-border train services, the Samjhauta Express and the Thar Express, to India.
Read: India agrees to visit Pakistan for Davis Cup tie in September
"We have asked ITF for a neutral venue because the situation is a bit unpredictable," All India Tennis Association (AITA) president Praveen Mahajan told AFP on Sunday. "I believe it is a reasonable request because of the current state of affairs."
Read: After Samjhauta, Rashid announces discontinuation of Thar Express train service with India
The AITA was preparing to send its team to Pakistan despite suspended sporting ties between the two countries but the Kashmir situation has raised fresh doubts.
An Indian tennis team last toured Pakistan in 1964 for the Davis Cup, where they defeated the hosts 4-0. Pakistan lost 3-2 when they toured Mumbai in 2006.
Until a few years ago, Pakistan were forced to host home Davis Cup ties at neutral venues as teams refused to travel to the South Asian nation over security concerns.
"I am hopeful they will shift the tie because Pakistan is used to playing in neutral venues," Mahajan said. "ITF will respond to our request shortly, sometime this week."
Pakistan Tennis Federation President Salim Saifullah Khan had earlier said they would honour the decision of the ITF if the AITA sought a neutral venue.
India has named a full strength squad for the crucial tie, with the country's highest-ranked players Prajnesh Gunneswaran (90) and Ramkumar Ramanathan (184), set to play the four singles matches.
Comments (53) Closed
Welcome Indian team to Pakistan. Stop this Drama or request?
Hindustan should simply forfeit the matches if it can’t come to the agreed venue.
Good move...
Legitimate demand ....
This should not be moved. There is no reason to move it. Hindus have lost their complete marbles. There is nothing wrong in pakistan. India does not want to come so be it. Stay in hindustan. Who is asking you to send your team.
But the venue should not be allowed to be moved. There is no valid reason!
In that case move the international hockey tournament in India as well. Like with like.
Safety of the players are important, than the game.
Sensible request.
This was to be expected from Modi's India.
Very good move
So the setback is for Pakistan sports. Just as international teams were starting to come back to Pakistan.
Neutral venue is safer both nations
@Osman, always expect the unexpected.
@RAja Raman , exactly
Move hockey tournament from India as well
India wants this, India wants that, they always want something.
Pakistan must reject india's effort......game will be played here....
@Zak, India did not recall its high commisioner, Pakistan did.
@Osman, dont blame us, you downgraded ties and banned all cultural exchanges
It’s so unfortunate to see most of Indians only interested in spreading hate. Very sad !!
Politicizing sport ..... disgusting .
Should have never been planned in Pakistan anyway. Haven't people learnt from the Sri Lankan team's experience?
@Osman, Modi India supported by 90 % people here
Then no game should be held in India as well
Racist Modi and his crooked cronies have a penchant by birth and upbringing to mix sports with politics.
The WHOLE PURPOSE of international sports competition is to improve relations. All int’l sports should boycott India if they refuse to play in Pakistan.
@Zak, Who will issue the visas?
Pakistan has not denied visas to Indian players, but if they don't want to come to Pakistan then that's their problem.
@Anjali, unfortunately. India and Pakistan should sign No War pact and move forward . Both Nation suffering .
@RAja Raman , Exactly just don't come.
@Anjali, International is not just India. All teams will still come and play in Pakistan. India wont, their loss.
We ain't blocking Indian team from visiting, so you are welcome to not visit. Was the cricket world cup moved? We had tensions back then too
Will you ever live in peace dear India?
Something is always going on in India!
Sports shouldn't be affected by politics . Let's hope Mr Modi will reconsider this.
Good idea
Good move
If this were to happen than all international games inIndia should be decided the same. After all India is the aggressor
@RAja Raman , Move it to Kashmir it will be really safe and world will watch what India is all about..
We should boycott all Indian products. Soon, India will then be bankrupt. Problem solved!
India should host all future tournaments in Neutral countries as well !
@RAja Raman , India should not play.
Dubai please - it’s better for Pakistani officials too.
@Alla Rakha, No impact to India since export to Pakistan is $2.17 Billion which is only 0.85% of the total export.
@Alla Rakha, Please note that India Pakistan trading is very less and if they don't import each other's product, it's not going to hurt them.
@Anjali, India is one nation not world.
they werent coming anyway.
@Zak, Dream on! :)
It could be a good idea to host it in a neutral venue close to both countries, like Sri Lanka, because of the current political situation.
@Daskalos, Till a week back you were saying the same about artistes and cultural activities?
@Zak,
You would not even qualify for hockey tournament. Don't worry about it. More over, this Davis cup tie is bi lateral while many countries would be participating in Hockey tournament.
I do not think this is a reasonable request. Sports and politics are different things.
I also do not understand why Pakistan has suspended trains. I do not care much if Pakistan suspend the Indian foreign office but creating problems for local folks who use trains, creating issues for people to meet their relatives and now Indians involving tennis into all this - is not cool with me.
We need to grow out of this.
Does not Pakistan want it too?