NEW DELHI: The All India Tennis Association (AITA) Tuesday decided to begin the process to procure Pakistan visas for its players and support staff, indicating that political grandstanding meant for home consumption aside, the threat of suspension, relegation and a fine by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) cannot be wished away.
AITA has been writing to the world governing body to shift the the Asia Oceania Group 1 Davis Cup match against Pakistan, scheduled to take place in Islamabad on November 29-30, to a neutral venue, citing security concerns.
AITA’s office-bearers and Davis Cup team captain Mahesh Bhupathi met here Tuesday and decided to start the visa process and keep pushing for a neutral venue, PTI reports.
“We are waiting for a final decision from ITF and accordingly will take a call, but as of now we have to start the visa process,” AITA secretary general Hironmoy Chatterjee told the newswire.
ITF, in its most recent reply, had conveyed to AITA that the Davis Cup Committee will make a decision only after the security agencies file a report early next month. That decision is expected on November 4, PTI reports.
The tie was originally scheduled to take place on September 14-15 but was postponed to November 29-30 by the ITF after a security review.
India’s case for shifting the venue has become weaker after the Sri Lankan cricket team tour of the arch-enemy ended without any untoward incidents.
ITF seems convinced, as of now, about the security situation in Pakistan, AITA officials told PTI.
