After days of speculation, political debate and media manufactured public outrage, the Union Sports Ministry confirmed on Thursday that while bilateral cricket with Pakistan remains suspended, India has no objection to playing them in multilateral events, including the Asia Cup.
In a statement issued to ANI, the Sports Ministry reiterated that India will not engage in bilateral sports exchanges with Pakistan, nor will Pakistani teams be permitted to play in India. However, Indian athletes and teams are free to compete in multilateral tournaments featuring Pakistan, whether staged abroad or in India.
“India’s approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects its overall policy in dealing with that country,” the ministry said. “In so far as bilateral sports events in each other’s countries are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India. With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons.”
The position taken by the Centre on this vexed matter, it needs reaffirming, is the correct one. This is a basic requirement for India’s ambition to host the Olympic Games to even get past the serious vetting phase of consideration. and then move ahead to the critical examination of what India’s choice of Ahmedabad has to offer infrastructure-wise.
In this regard, it is worth recalling that in early 2019 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had temporarily barred India from hosting future sporting events after the government denied visas to Pakistani shooters for a World Cup in New Delhi. This action, which followed a similar incident with a Kosovan boxer the previous year, was a violation of the Olympic Charter’s non-discrimination principles. However, the IOC lifted this suspension in June 2019 after the Indian government provided written guarantees ensuring the entry of athletes from all nations.
Fast forwarding to the present, in a related development, the Sports Ministry has also announced a simplified visa regime for athletes, team officials and international federation representatives, including multi-entry visas of up to five years for office-bearers of global sports bodies. The move is aimed at reinforcing India’s credentials as a hub for major international tournaments.
Now coming back to the Asia Cup, the first marquee clash (of potentially three in a best case scenario financially) between the two traditional rivals is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai.
The clarification from the Sports Ministry came alongside the announcement of India’s 15-member squad for the eight-team continental tournament, with Suryakumar Yadav set to lead the side. The squad balances experience and form, with selectors opting for a blend of established names and emerging players as India seek to defend their title.
