38-member squad was then sent,” the release said.
“Then a final list of 25 players, four officials and two referees was sent to the organisers in India. The list was submitted by them with the ministry of the external affairs of India. The passports were submitted with the High Commission of India after taking NOC from the ministry of IPC along with relevant documents. The High Commission then processed the case. The organisers from India also approached High Commission for the issuance of visas to Pakistan’s squad,” it elaborated.
“The High Commission of India apparently with discriminatory and malafide intent approved visas for only nine female players. It appears that a deliberate effort has been made to deprive the Asian champions from taking part in the event in a bid to provide an opportunity to their own players to win medals,” the release added.
The PJJF demanded that the government of Pakistan protest against the biased attitude of the High Commission of India.
Despite the treatment by India with them, PJJF still pledged that it would invite India for an international event in Islamabad in September.
“India will be invited. In the event nations from across the world will be featuring. Some countries, including England, have confirmed their entries,” a PJJF official said.
“Sports is above politics and is the best way of diplomacy,” PJJF said.
‘The News’ tried to contact the visa section of the High Commission of India in Islamabad and the president of Ju-Jitsu Association of India Suresh Gopi but no response was received.
Federal minister for IPC Riaz Hussain Pirzada was also contacted but he also did not respond.
International Handball Federation (IHF) recently imposed a fine on Pakistan Handball Federation (PHF) after the Indian team was not issued visas for featuring in the International Handball Challenge Trophy in Faisalabad last year.