AITA seeks security check but no word on venue change

New Delhi, August 12 

India’s national tennis federation today decided against seeking a change of venue for the Davis Cup tie against Pakistan in Islamabad but requested the world body (ITF) to conduct another security check there in view of the fresh diplomatic tension. 

India’s participation in the Asia-Oceania Zone Group 1 Davis Cup tie, scheduled on September 14 and 15, is uncertain owing to high political tension with Pakistan.

“We are aware that you had done a safety check before the diplomatic ties have been downgraded,” All India Tennis Association (AITA) Secretary Hironmoy Chatterjee wrote in a mail addressed to ITF executive director Justine Albert. “ITF may find it appropriate to do another check to its own satisfaction to ensure the safety of all the stakeholders connected with the tie.” 

Chatterjee had earlier stated that AITA might seek a change of venue. “AITA is, therefore, waiting for your (ITF) final certificate confirming the safety of all the stakeholders and the details of the security plan prepared from the arrival of the team to its departure so that we can start applying for visas for travelling to Pakistan and to make necessary travel arrangements,” he said in the latest letter.

AITA said it would go by the directives of the ITF. “In case ITF in consultation with PTF (Pakistan Tennis Federation) is not 100 per cent sure about the safety of the stakeholders, ITF may advise us the future course of action and AITA will respectfully follow the decision of ITF,” he added. — PTI

Govt won’t interfere, says Sports Minister

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju today said the government will not have any say on whether India should participate in next month’s Davis Cup tie in Pakistan as the event is not a bilateral engagement. “If it is a bilateral sporting event, then whether India will play with Pakistan becomes a political decision. But Davis Cup is not bilateral and is organised by a world sporting body,” Rijiju said. “Since India is a signatory to the Olympic charter. Therefore, the government of India or the national federation do not have a say on whether India will participate or not,” he added. No Indian Davis Cup team has travelled to Pakistan since 1964. pti