KARACHI, April 4: After cricket and hockey, soccer becomes another victim of political tension between Pakistan and India as next month’s tri-nation tournament in South Africa is in doubt because of India’s refusal to play.

“Since India say they are not being given clearance by their government, the South African tour has been postponed,” a Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), officials told reporters Thursday.

Arch rivals, Pakistan and India, were due to meet in the soccer field next month, but with India’s stance there is little or no likelihood the two neighbours will face each other in South Africa.

The PFF official said after the South African tour was put on the back burner possibility of Pakistan’s tour now depended on the Indian government’s policy.

The tour was arranged by a England-based company which has struck a three-year deal with the PFF. Under the agreement, the Pakistan team would have at least one offshore tour annually.

Pakistan made their first sponsored trip to England last year where they played three friendlies against local clubs in different cities.

“The Indian football chief, Alberto Colaco, however, has assured the Indian team will participate in the three-nation series but only after a go-ahead from the government.

“I would say PFF could become richer once India started playing Pakistan,” the PFF official said.

As India has gradually severed sporting links with Pakistan especially since after the Kargil standoff between the two countries, it is quite obvious why India are avoiding to play Pakistan on the South African soil.

Owing to the political upheaval between the two nuclear powers, the Pakistan-India sporting ties are on decline, especially in cricket and hockey. Soccer has now been the latest victim of the strained diplomatic relations.

India’s cricket team has not toured Pakistan since 1989, refused to cross borders last year to play scheduled Test series and last September’s Asian Test Championship.

Hockey, which has tremendous following in both the countries, has also been hit by the sour relations of the two nations. Both played annual hockey series last in 1999-2000, while India pulled back from a proposed three-nation series in Dubai in February this year.

Nevertheless, Pakistan soccer, after postponement of the South African tour, got a shot in the arm when the PFF official announced the team would travel to Yemen in May to play two friendly matches in Sana.

The Yemeni team would also visit Pakistan later to play two matches for which the venues would be decided later, the official said.

The official said Malaysia had also been invited but the schedule of their tour could not be finalized due to their hectic activity.