Pakistan federations plan participation in Indian events despite significant bilateral confrontation

KARACHI: Despite severe strained relations with heightened military tensions between Pakistan and India, a number of local sports federations have planned participation in international events that are to be held in India.

According to details, 14 out of 45 national sports federations submitted their annual sports calendars to Pakistan Sports Board which also included their participation in international events.

Pakistan Hockey Federation is to feature in the Junior World Cup in India from November 29 to December 10 this year while they would also participate in men’s Senior Asia Cup in India from August 25 to September 7 this year.

Similarly, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation is to participate in India Open International Taekwondo Championship from November 11-14 and also in the Commonwealth Taekwondo Championship from November 15-20 this year.

Also, Pakistan Weightlifting Federation mentioned in their calendar the participation in Commonwealth Senior, Junior and Youth Championships in India from August 24-30 this year and also in Asian Weightlifting Championships in May next year in India.

When contacted, President Pakistan Hockey Federation Mir Tariq Hussain Bugti said they are ready and don’t want to miss events in India despite the current tense situation between both the countries.

“We are ready and will apply for visas for the said events but we are not sure how Indian authorities would respond. I hope we will get visas because it’s a sport. But still we don’t know what will happen,” said Bugti.

Similarly, President Pakistan Taekwondo Federation Raja Waseem Ahmed said they are having correspondence with Commonwealth authorities in this regard and trying to get visas for the said championship.

However, Dr. Hafiz Zafar Iqbal, member of the Interim Committee on Pakistan Weightlifting Federation refused to send their teams in the events scheduled in India.

“We will not participate in both the events there under the current strained circumstances between India and Pakistan,” said Zafar while talking to ‘The News’.

It is pertinent to mention here that Indian sports authorities and players have called for having ‘no sporting ties’ with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terrorist attack which escalated to a brief war between both the countries recently.

For example, it was reported by Indian media that former International Olympic Committee member and International Hockey Federation President Narinder Batra “demanded that India severs all sporting ties with Pakistan” while he also requested the Indian companies not to have sponsorship deals with the FIH as it is being led by Pakistan’s Tayyab Ikram.

Moreover, Times of India (TOI) reported that the upcoming Asia Cup in cricket could be postponed as well due to this issue. The news report mentioned that the Asia Cup scheduled in September this year is likely to be postponed as no venue for the event has been finalized yet.

“The dates and venue for the upcoming Asia Cup is yet to be finalised, and if the tournament does get a green light, it will be played under a hybrid model. Since India are the hosts for the Asia Cup, Pakistan could play their matches in either Sri Lanka or UAE,” stated the report.