Indian tennis team arrives in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Following months of uncertainty and reluctance, the Indian tennis team has finally arrived in the city to play the important Davis Cup Group I tie against Pakistan at the Sports Complex Grass Court on February 3-4.

The All Indian Tennis Association (AITA) used all possible options to deprive Pakistan of its hosting rights, first moving to the Davis Cup Committee and then to the Chair of the Independent Tribunal to take the tie on a neutral venue. All their efforts met with total rejection, leaving them with two options, either to travel to Pakistan to play the tie or face the wrath of ITF by forfeiting the tie and facing a fine also. Fearing the fine and possibility of relegation, the Indian team finally decided to travel to Pakistan, reaching Islamabad late Sunday evening.

It was the first time that Pakistan had defeated India’s point of view on an international forum twice in a couple of months. It was the DCC that rejected India’s concern, allotting the tie to Pakistan, and then came the turn of the Chair of Independent Tribunal which upheld the DCC/PTF stance, rejecting AITA concerns altogether.

The touring squad includes five players, two physios, a coach a manager, and a coordinator. The team at the airport was received by the secretary Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Col (rtd) Gul Rehman and other federation officials.