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ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday cancelled a planned exhibition match between tennis stars Aisam-ul-Haq and Rohan Bopanna at the international Wagah Border, citing security reasons, it has been learnt.
The move has also closed down a bid of sports diplomacy initiated by the Pakistan Tennis Federation for easing out the tension between the two neighbours since the Mumbai terrorist attack.
“We have failed to get clearance from the government and were only conveyed that there is no security clearance for this event which forced us to cancel the match,” spokesman for the PTF Irshad Bhatti told Dawn.
The PTF has made several arrangements for the duo to play an exhibition match at the Wagah border with an aim to promote peace through sport.
“We have blocked all the efforts relating to this event after failure to get security clearance from the government. But if we get the clearance, we will go for the match,” remarked Bhatti.
The spokesman of the federation, however, failed to share the security concerns raised by the government which led to cancellation of the match.
“I can’t comment over the reasons,” said Bhatti when asked by the scribe to share the security concerns which could have affected the event.
Asked to comment over the financial losses because of the cancellation of the event, the spokesman insisted: “It’s not a big amount at all because the money is not an issue for the federation instead it’s the development and promotion of the game which matter us at this time.”
Bhatti maintained that Aisam would also likely to take up the issue with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
“We have already sent a request to the prime minister for an appointment with Aisam and issues related to the promotion of the sport will also be discussed in the meeting,” said the spokesman.
