Seniors championship in Lahore Indian players yet to get visas

KARACHI: Pakistan’s ministry of interior has not yet issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to the three Indian tennis players who have entered their names to play the 32nd Pakistan ITF Seniors World Ranking Tennis Championship scheduled from November 21-26 at PLTA Tennis Academy in Lahore.
“They have applied for visas but our ministry has not given them NOCs, which means they might not be able to play this event,” said Rasheed Malik, the organiser.He added that the relations between both the countries are really bad. “India doesn’t allow Pakistanis any kind of visas, yet we are hopeful that Pakistan allows Indian players to come and play this event.
“The event is starting from the 21st, so if they get NOCs even on Monday they can come to Pakistan the same day and have their matches the next day or on Wednesday. We hope sports get favour from both the countries,” said Rashid.
The players are Pawan Jain, Naresh Khatri, and Gurvinder Singh Sethi. Many Indian players have already withdrawn. Besides, Wolfgang Rausch, a German player, who was in 65 plus category, has also withdrawn. The singles events for qualifying draw are 35 plus, 40 plus, 45 plus, 50 plus, 55 plus, 60 plus, and 65 plus.
And the singles events for the main draw are 35 plus, 40 plus, 45 plus, 50 plus, 55 plus, 60 plus, and 65 plus. All events except 55 plus and 60 plus are to be played on Round Robin basis. The doubles main draw has events for the age categories of 35 plus, 40 plus, 45 plus, 50 plus, 55 plus, 60 plus, and 65 plus.