India violating IOC policy to hurt Pak athletes

KARACHI: India’s intolerance towards Pakistani athletes has grown in the recent years despite Zero Tolerance policy of International Olympic Committee (IOC) on such kind of discrimination.

In the wake of Pulwama attack, India has refused to issue visas to two Pakistani shooters and one coach who were to participate in the World Cup Rifle/Pistol scheduled in New Delhi from February 20-28.

This was an Olympic Qualifying Quota Event for 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Pakistani shooters were quite disappointed as their hard work went in vain due to India’s discriminatory attitude. This was not for the first time that Pakistani athletes and officials faced discrimination for international shooting events which are held in India.

In the past, a nominated Pakistani jury member Mohammad Idrees was not issued visa in time by India because of which he failed to perform his duties. In 2016, an Asian Olympic quota event was held in India after the cancellation of Olympic Qualifying Status of the 13th Asian Shooting Championship held in Kuwait because Kuwait did not issue visa in time to ISSF appointed Technical Delegate.

Though Pakistani team was given visas on the last day by Indian High Commission for the said Asian Olympic quota event, the Pakistani team manager with all the firearm and ammunition was stranded at Abu Dhabi Airport for 24 hours.

And the reason was that the Indian government was not allowing the firearm and ammunition of Pakistani shooting team to be brought in India for participation in that Olympic Qualifying event of Asia. The Pakistani shooters were to participate in Rapid Fire Pistol event in the said world cup.

National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NRAP) also demanded that no ISSF event should be held in India in future till such time the Indian government gives written undertaking of non-discrimination to athletes from Pakistan with a uniform visa policy for all countries, including athletes and officials from Pakistan.

This situation has forced ISSF to announce that the federation is making all efforts to ensure Pakistan’s participation in this World Cup in New Delhi. Also, ISSF in its official press release on Wednesday hinted at taking stern measures against India for such intolerance towards Pakistani athletes.

“Besides that, the ISSF and the Organizing Committee are discussing the possible consequences for India as a host country for future international competitions, in all sports,” stated the ISSF.