Davis Cup: Pakistan's top tennis players boycott India tie [Post#125]

[Abdullah719]

FOR THE first time in 55 years, an Indian team will travel to Pakistan to compete in a Davis Cup tie. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) confirmed the Indian team’s participation in the Asia/ Oceania Group 1 away tie, which will be held on September 14-15 at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.

“Yes, we will be going,” AITA Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee told The Indian Express. “It’s the World Cup of tennis and not a bilateral series, so there is no embargo on any front.”

India has skipped most sporting events hosted by Pakistan for over a decade — the 2007 cricket tour to Pakistan was the last significant “away” sporting trip that India undertook.

While the Davis Cup draw was out in February, the team’s chances of making the trip seemed bleak in the wake of the border tension following the Pulwama attack later that month. Last month, however, the sports ministry made it clear that the decision to compete in the tie remained solely with the AITA.

Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior official had put the onus on AITA. “Sports ministry does not interfere in team selections, participation of tournaments or visits to countries by sportspersons,” he had said.

The Indian tennis body waited for the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) inspection of the venue and security arrangements in Pakistan before making its stand public. “The ITF had sent representatives to Islamabad on the 22nd of this month,” said Chatterjee. “Once they cleared it, we sent our details to the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) so that they could issue the invitation letter. That letter has come, so we have started the visa application process. It takes about four to five weeks to complete the visa process.”

The last time India played Pakistan in the Davis Cup tie was in 2006, at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, when the hosts came up with a 3-2 win to take India’s head-to-head tally against Pakistan to 6-0.

AITA is yet to announce the final squad for the seventh meeting between the two neighbouring countries. “The team will officially be announced later, and it will be based on rankings,” said Chatterjee. “But we more or less know the team.”

As it stands, Davis Cup captain Mahesh Bhupathi and coach Zeeshan Ali are likely to have India’s top-three ranked men’s singles players, Prajnesh Gunneswaran (ranked 88), Ramkumar Ramanathan (185) and Sumit Nagal (207) in the team. The sole doubles rubber is likely to played by India’s top-two ranked doubles specialists Rohan Bopanna (45) and Divij Sharan (46).

The winner of the tie will earn a spot in the World Group playoffs next year. And since it is an India versus Pakistan tie, bragging rights will also be up for grabs.

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...m-set-to-go-to-pakistan-in-september-5855409/

 

[moghul]

Indian team will not face any security problem in Pakistan. Afghanistan has very good terms with India .

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

I thought pakistan was not safe, so whats changed, will they now come in the asia cup?

 

[Major]

No one will even know about this event. No one will know who came and went

We suck at marketing sport events

 

[nextover666666]

I thought pakistan was not safe, so whats changed, will they now come in the asia cup?

It's not a big event , most people won't even know their is tennis tourney going on in Pakistan

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

So Pakistan is not safe for our cricketers but it is safe for tennis players? It is pretty clear it is BCCI who doesn't want to tour Pakistan not our government. If it is government's decision then their hypocrisy is exposed.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">All India Tennis Association (AITA) Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee: Our team will be going to Pakistan for Davis Cup. We have got the invitation letters, now we will apply for visa. Team selection has not been done yet, it'll start on 5 Aug. Our team will go around 10 Sept <a href="https://t.co/kJoiFIoeL6">pic.twitter.com/kJoiFIoeL6</a></p>— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1155397238291664901?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[MenInG]

The Indian tennis team's proposed trip to Islamabad to play the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group 1 tie in September has run into rough weather. WION has exclusive details that non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi has expressed his reservations in a strongly worded letter to the All India Tennis Association (AITA).

In his letter, Bhupathi has asked AITA to provide the players and coaching staff details of the security arrangements being made for the tie.

When contacted, Bhupathi declined to comment on the contents of the letter.

But sources have revealed that the 12-time grand slam winner has informed AITA that a few players are unhappy about touring Pakistan. Bhupathi has made it clear that if required, the players would put the national interest ahead of their reservations and play the Davis Cup tie. But he has asked AITA to detail the security arrangements that have been put in place for the Indian team.

This comes days after AITA secretary general Hironmoy Chatterjee made a massive announcement on Saturday. "Our team will be going to Pakistan for Davis Cup. We have got the invitation letters, now we will apply for visa. Team selection has not been done yet, it will start on August 5. Our team will go around September 10," Hironmoy Chatterjee said.

Sources said that AITA wrote to Union Sports Ministry for clearance on May 21, but the ministry washed its hands off the matter saying its permission was not required.

When it comes to touring Pakistan, the clearance of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is a must, said sources, adding that the MEA has not received any such request from AITA.

The issue of players' security is vital, and that is precisely the reason why all tours of Pakistan have to be cleared by security agencies.

The Indian cricket board sent a high-level delegation to Pakistan comprising security experts ahead of tours in 2004 and 2006. The Pakistan Cricket Board similarly sent a delegation to India ahead of tours in 2005, 2007 and 2012.

The Sri Lankan cricket team was promised presidential-level security ahead of a one-off T20 international in 2017. Similar security measures were put in place when Pakistan hosted a three-match T20 series against a World 11.

Leading teams in world cricket have stayed away from Pakistan ever since the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked outside the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in 2009.

The Pakistan Tennis Federation has proposed that the Davis Cup tie should be held at the National Sports Complex in Islamabad. Pakistan's last two ties against Uzbekistan and South Korea were played at the same stadium in 2018.

WION sought details of the proposed security arrangements from the Pakistan Tennis Federation but they too clammed up.

Bhupathi's letter has shaken up the tennis association and they now realise that all bases have not been covered. Relying on the security assessment of the international tennis federation alone may not convince the Indian government.

https://www.wionews.com/sports/indi...ks-for-details-of-security-arrangement-239528

 

[Lonewarrior]

The Indian tennis team's proposed trip to Islamabad to play the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group 1 tie in September has run into rough weather. WION has exclusive details that non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi has expressed his reservations in a strongly worded letter to the All India Tennis Association (AITA).

In his letter, Bhupathi has asked AITA to provide the players and coaching staff details of the security arrangements being made for the tie.

When contacted, Bhupathi declined to comment on the contents of the letter.

But sources have revealed that the 12-time grand slam winner has informed AITA that a few players are unhappy about touring Pakistan. Bhupathi has made it clear that if required, the players would put the national interest ahead of their reservations and play the Davis Cup tie. But he has asked AITA to detail the security arrangements that have been put in place for the Indian team.

This comes days after AITA secretary general Hironmoy Chatterjee made a massive announcement on Saturday. "Our team will be going to Pakistan for Davis Cup. We have got the invitation letters, now we will apply for visa. Team selection has not been done yet, it will start on August 5. Our team will go around September 10," Hironmoy Chatterjee said.

Sources said that AITA wrote to Union Sports Ministry for clearance on May 21, but the ministry washed its hands off the matter saying its permission was not required.

When it comes to touring Pakistan, the clearance of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is a must, said sources, adding that the MEA has not received any such request from AITA.

The issue of players' security is vital, and that is precisely the reason why all tours of Pakistan have to be cleared by security agencies.

The Indian cricket board sent a high-level delegation to Pakistan comprising security experts ahead of tours in 2004 and 2006. The Pakistan Cricket Board similarly sent a delegation to India ahead of tours in 2005, 2007 and 2012.

The Sri Lankan cricket team was promised presidential-level security ahead of a one-off T20 international in 2017. Similar security measures were put in place when Pakistan hosted a three-match T20 series against a World 11.

Leading teams in world cricket have stayed away from Pakistan ever since the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked outside the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in 2009.

The Pakistan Tennis Federation has proposed that the Davis Cup tie should be held at the National Sports Complex in Islamabad. Pakistan's last two ties against Uzbekistan and South Korea were played at the same stadium in 2018.

WION sought details of the proposed security arrangements from the Pakistan Tennis Federation but they too clammed up.

Bhupathi's letter has shaken up the tennis association and they now realise that all bases have not been covered. Relying on the security assessment of the international tennis federation alone may not convince the Indian government.

https://www.wionews.com/sports/indi...ks-for-details-of-security-arrangement-239528

and thats how you change the mind-set of your people. with 24/7 atangwadi parroting.

 

[mon858]

1. So tennis players lives are less imprtant than cricket players??
2. If it wasnt security and reason for not playing pakistan or touring them anywhere for bilateral series was based on some moral ground related to Kashmir issue, etc., then why does India apply it to cricket only and not tennis??

I am more in favor of peace and sports not mixing with politics but just dont get how India is operating when they know they have impact e.g. playing world cup ties and Asia cups, etc or Davis cup, but not touring otherwise.

 

[WC-Passion]

[MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] what are your thoughts on this?

 

[USaqaf]

Just stay away from the Lahore route the Sri Lankans took.

 

[Abdullah719]

Pakistan Tennis Federation assures Indian players of adequate security ahead of Davis Cup tie

The Indian Tennis team will become the first Indian cricketing contingent to travel to the neighbouring country of Pakistan in more than a decade when they land at Islamabad to play their Asia/Oceania Group 1 Davis Cup fixture. It has been 55 years since the tennis team travelled there to play a Davis Cup tie, though the two teams have clashed as recently as 2006 in Mumbai.

Considering the hostility between the two conditions politically, security concerns are natural but the Pakistan Tennis Federation has stated that it has done its best to ensure the visitors enjoy a safe trip to the country.

"Wherever you go to play, the host nation is prepared, nobody hosts (sporting events) without proper arrangements. We have ample security measures in place but I can't share those with you over the phone. There is no problem as such," Colonel (retired) Gul Rehman, secretary of the PTF, told TOI.

The country has already hosted various Davis Cup matches of late and in the past few years without any worries. The security responsibility also lies with the International Tennis Federation whose officials have already approved of the arrangements in place.

"The (Pakistan) Government will provide the security. We have hosted Uzbekistan, Korea, Thailand. Nobody expressed any problems. Naturally, we have had communication with AITA; and if (there are) any issues, they will let us know. But there have been no talks around security because it is ITF's responsibility. It's a wrong impression that there could be any security problems in Pakistan," Rehman added.

India’s non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi had earlier in the week contacted the All India Tennis Association to inquire about the security and whether they had received the clearance to travel to Pakistan. However, some of the Indian players were reported to be anxious about the tour but the claims have been dismissed as false by the association.

"They haven't said that. Anyone can quote whatever they feel like but that's not what was said. Since we are playing Pakistan, the players were a bit concerned if proper security arrangements have been made or not. There is nothing wrong in that. They (players) also wanted to know if we have got the clearances and all to play in Pakistan. The captain (Bhupathi) wanted to ask me that question. It is between the captain and the secretary," AITA Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee told TOI.

He stated that the association did not feel the need to take permission from the Ministry of External Affairs considering it did not fall under their purview.

"We fall under MYAS. We have their approval, finished. The ministry under which we fall, I will go to only that ministry. I have written to them and they have given the approval. That ends the matter," Chatterjee asserted.

https://sportscafe.in/articles/cric...s-of-adequate-security-ahead-of-davis-cup-tie

 

[Nostalgic]

The Indian Tennis team will become the first Indian cricketing contingent to travel to the neighbouring country of Pakistan in more than a decade

Sending the tennis team to play cricket: the Humsaya Mulk moves in mysterious ways...

 

[Abdullah719]

Mahesh Bhupathi named captain for India-Pakistan Davis Cup tie

All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Monday announced Mahesh Bhupathi as the skipper for the India-Pakistan Davis Cup tie on September 14 and 15 in Islamabad. Six players have been named by the association, who will be taking part in Davis Cup. Prajnesh Gunneswaran, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Saketh Myneni, Rohan Bopanna, Divij Sharan and Sasi Kumar Mukund have all been named in the lineup.

Mukund has been named as the reserve and Zeeshan Ali will be the coach of the team. Two physios will also accompany the Indian team to take part in the Davis Cup, while Sunder Iyer will travel with the team to Pakistan as the team manager.

Earlier, AITA Secretary-General Hironmoy Chatterjee had confirmed that the Indian team will be travelling to Pakistan for the first time in 55 years to participate in the Davis Cup. "Yes, we will go. It is not a bilateral series, it's a World Cup of tennis so we have to go. There was no communication with the government as it's a world event, we have to abide by the IOC charter," AITA Secretary had told ANI.

"The team of six players, support staff and coach will be going to Pakistan. I will also go along with the team. We will be putting in the visa application for everyone. Pakistan hockey team travelled to India for the World Cup and now we are also going," he had added. The Davis Cup draw was rolled out in February this year, but after the Pulwama attack on February 14, chances of the Indian tennis team touring Pakistan looked bleak.

The Indian cricket team had last toured Pakistan in 2007, and after that, no team across any sport has toured Pakistan. India last played Pakistan in the Davis Cup in 2006 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, in which the hosts managed to register a 3-2 win to take India's head-to-head tally against Pakistan to 6-0. (ANI)

https://www.devdiscourse.com/articl...amed-captain-for-india-pakistan-davis-cup-tie

 

[imrankhannsu]

Wonder if any games will be played now

 

[Abdullah719]

India may seek neutral venue for Davis Cup tie against Pakistan

India may request the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to shift next month's Davis Cup tie against Pakistan from Islamabad to a neutral venue because of the prevailing tensions between the neighbours, an Indian official told Reuters on Thursday.

Pakistan said on Wednesday it would expel India's ambassador and suspend bilateral trade with its arch-rival after New Delhi stripped its portion of the contested Kashmir region of special status.

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) named a six-member squad under captain Mahesh Bhupathi on Monday for the September 14-15 tie in Islamabad but subsequent developments have put a question mark on the fate of the contest.

"As of now, there's no change to our plans but we'll wait for a few days and see if the situation merits a review," AITA secretary general Hironmoy Chatterjee said by telephone.

"A lot has changed over the last few days and we may ask ITF to review the situation and take a call. It's not for us to take a call.

"If needed, we'll ask ITF to see if they, keeping players' safety I mind, can shift the tie to a neutral venue where both teams feel safe and comfortable."

Chatterjee dismissed reports that any Indian player has security apprehensions about playing in Islamabad.

"Nothing of that sort, they are fine. We've named our squad only after speaking to them."

Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have twice waged war over Kashmir and in February engaged in an aerial clash.

India's cricket team has not toured Pakistan since 2007 and bilateral cricketing ties between them have remained suspended since 2008.

https://www.supersport.com/tennis/n...tral_venue_for_Davis_Cup_tie_against_Pakistan

 

[Abdullah719]

AITA confirms it will seek neutral venue for Davis Cup tie against Pakistan on Monday

The Indian tennis federation on Saturday confirmed that it will approach world governing body ITF, seeking a neutral venue for the Davis Cup tie against Pakistan, saying it's not an "unreasonable request" considering the escalating tension between the two nations.

After the Indian government scrapped the special status accorded to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the developments have kept the AITA officials and players worried.

"We have assessed the situation and feel that the atmosphere is not conducive to play in Pakistan. We have decided to write to the ITF on Monday to provide a neutral venue for the tie," AITA secretary general Hironmoy Chatterjee told PTI.

"It's now up to the ITF. They will put it before the Davis Cup committee but it's likely that they will accept our request. We are not making an unreasonable request. It's a genuine request. In current circumstances, it is not conducive to play there," he added.

In retaliation to Indian government's decision to revoke Article 370 and 35A on Wednesday, Pakistan had downgraded diplomatic ties with India.

Pakistan then on Thursday stopped the Samjhauta Express at the Wagah border citing security concerns, following which an Indian crew escorted the train to Attari on the Indian side.

The tie, for which AITA named a full-strength team, is scheduled to be held in Islamabad on September 14-15.

No Indian Davis Cup team has travelled to Pakistan since 1964 and bilateral cricket ties between the two countries have been dormant since the 2008 terror attack in Mumbai.

Since 2017, Pakistan have played four of the five home ties in Islamabad, hosting Korea, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Iran. Hong Kong had refused to travel to Pakistan in April, 2017, giving them a walkover.

The last time Pakistan played on neutral venue was when it hosted China in Colombo, Sri Lanka in March 2016.

In 2015, Pakistan played both their home ties on neutral venue. They played Chinese Taipei in Turkey while they hosted Kuwait in Colombo.

Pakistan Tennis Federation President Salim Saifullah Khan had said that they will honour the decision of the ITF in case AITA seeks neutral venue.

https://www.business-standard.com/a...gainst-pakistan-on-monday-119081001062_1.html

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewsAlert?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewsAlert</a> – Any bilateral match with Pakistan will have to get clearance from Govt but if it's a multilateral event organised by international bodies, then we can't take our own isolated stand: <a href="https://twitter.com/KirenRijiju?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KirenRijiju</a> on Indian team's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DavisCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DavisCup</a> tie scheduled to be held in Islamabad. <a href="https://t.co/2Ua6t0t2VF">pic.twitter.com/2Ua6t0t2VF</a></p>— News18 (@CNNnews18) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNnews18/status/1160828202018721793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Tennis chiefs are satisfied with the current safety plan in place for next month's Davis Cup tie between Pakistan and India in Islamabad even after the latter asked for another round of security assessment.

Pakistan last week expelled India's ambassador and suspended bilateral trade with its neighbour after New Delhi removed "special status" from its portion of the contested region of Kashmir.

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has already named a six-member squad under captain Mahesh Bhupathi for the September 14-15 tie but subsequent developments have put a question mark over the contest.

"Safety and security are the ITF's highest priority," the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said in a statement to Reuters.

"We are working closely with the host nation and independent expert security advisors - the ITF is satisfied with their current security assessment of the site and the security plan in place.

"The overall security risk rating for Pakistan has not changed, however, we will continue to monitor the situation closely with our advisors."

India and Pakistan have gone to war three times since independence in the mid-20th century and another conflict almost erupted earlier this year.

Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours further soured in February after a suicide car bombing killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

An Indian tennis team last went to Pakistan in 1964 for a Davis Cup tie, defeating their hosts 4-0, while Pakistan lost 3-2 on their last visit to India in 2006.

Pakistan was forced to host Davis Cup ties at neutral venues for more than a decade as teams refused to travel to the country because of security concerns.

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They played their first home tie after a gap of 12 years against Iran in 2017, while Hong Kong was relegated and fined by the ITF after they refused to travel to Pakistan the same year.

India's cricket team has not toured Pakistan since 2007 and bilateral ties between the countries have remained suspended since 2008, although they have met in international competition.

India's sports minister Kiren Rijiju has said the government would not prevent the team from playing the Davis Cup tie in Pakistan as it was not a bilateral series and was organised by a world body.

In an email to the ITF on Monday, AITA chief Hironmoy Chatterjee said India had full confidence the ITF and Pakistan Tennis Federation would organise an "excellent" Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie but said more security checks might be in order.

"We are aware that you had done a safety check before the diplomatic ties have been downgraded," secretary-general Chatterjee wrote.

"ITF may find it appropriate to do another check to its own satisfaction to ensure the safety of all the stakeholders connected with the tie.

"AITA is, therefore, waiting for your final certificate confirming the safety of all the stakeholders and the details of the security plan prepared ... so that we can start applying for visas (and) make necessary travel arrangements."

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/te...davis-cup-tie-in-islamabad-1580288-2019-08-13

 

[Ram Shekhar]

Hopefully this is a successful visit and other sporting teams like cricket can also play in Pakistan in the near future.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

I don’t think security will ever be an issue for any touring team after 2009

 

[Swashbuckler]

Indian and Pakistan tennis players are very good friends because they often play doubles together, that builds bonds in a way other sports can not. Earlier whenever the likes of Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan used to come to India to play they would stay in the houses of our tennis players and administrators. During Asian Games last year both sets of players would cheer and support each other when free, even saw Bopanna providing off court coaching to the Pakistani doubles team, and when India was playing the doubles final the Pakistani players were cheering from Indian benches.

I hope this is a successful event and sports is played in the right spirit, tennis fans aren't generally uncouth like cricket/football fans, so I expect good behavior from them too.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So while the <a href="https://twitter.com/ITF_Tennis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ITF_Tennis</a> maintains all is well AITA sources reveal that <a href="https://twitter.com/Maheshbhupathi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Maheshbhupathi</a> has written another mail to the body saying that most players do not want to travel to Islamabad for the <a href="https://twitter.com/DavisCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DavisCup</a> tie next month....</p>— Digvijay Singh Deo (@DiggySinghDeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/DiggySinghDeo/status/1161255262872834048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[Ram Shekhar]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So while the <a href="https://twitter.com/ITF_Tennis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ITF_Tennis</a> maintains all is well AITA sources reveal that <a href="https://twitter.com/Maheshbhupathi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Maheshbhupathi</a> has written another mail to the body saying that most players do not want to travel to Islamabad for the <a href="https://twitter.com/DavisCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DavisCup</a> tie next month....</p>— Digvijay Singh Deo (@DiggySinghDeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/DiggySinghDeo/status/1161255262872834048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Those who are not willing to go can drop themselves. We can find replacements anyway.

 

[slipcatch]

Bharat is a strange country.

 

[Abdullah719]

Indian players want safety guarantees for Pakistan trip - Bhupathi

MUMBAI (Reuters) – Indian tennis players want safety guarantees before they travel to Islamabad for their Davis Cup tie against Pakistan, captain Mahesh Bhupathi said on Wednesday.

Pakistan last week expelled India’s ambassador and suspended bilateral trade and all public transport links with its neighbour after New Delhi removed “special status” from its portion of the contested region of Kashmir.

The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two wars over Kashmir since gaining independence from colonial power Great Britain in 1947. They came close to a third in February after a deadly attack on Indian police by a Pakistan-based militant group resulted in air strikes by both countries.

Bhupathi said security was his main concern for the team.

“We just want guarantees on safety,” he told Reuters by email.

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) said on Wednesday they had written to the sport’s governing body once again asking them to shift the tie to a neutral venue or to postpone it for a couple of months until tensions simmer down.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has already responded to a previous AITA request, saying they were satisfied with the current safety plan in place in Islamabad.

“The recent developments have resulted in an atmosphere which is not conducive for a happy friendly tie between the two teams which have immense respect for each other,” AITA General Secretary Hironmoy Chatterjee wrote to the ITF in an email seen by Reuters.

“Whether or not there is a security threat in Islamabad, the moods of the two nations are deeply affected and there is an undercurrent of tension which is perhaps not being taken into account by the Security Agency of ITF in their assessment.”

The India association have also asked the ITF to share the security reports from its assessment of the situation in Islamabad and to set up a call between their respective security consultants.

The AITA has named a six-member squad under Bhupathi for the Sept. 14-15 tie.

An Indian tennis team last went to Pakistan in 1964 for a Davis Cup tie, defeating the hosts 4-0, while Pakistan lost 3-2 on their last visit to India in 2006.

Pakistan was forced to host Davis Cup ties at neutral venues for more than a decade as teams refused to travel to the country because of security concerns.

They played their first home tie after a gap of 12 years against Iran in 2017, while Hong Kong was relegated and fined by the ITF after they refused to travel to Pakistan the same year.

India’s cricket team have not toured Pakistan since 2007 and bilateral ties between the countries have remained suspended since 2008, although they have met in international competition.

India’s sports minister Kiren Rijiju has said the government would not prevent the team from playing the Davis Cup tie in Pakistan as it was not a bilateral series and was organised by a world governing body.

https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/14/indian-players-want-safety-guarantees-for-pakistan-trip-bhupathi

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s ace international tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi Saturday lashes out at Indian tennis players and former stars for their lame excuses and expressing fears about travelling to Pakistan to play Asia-Oceania Group-I Davis Cup tie to be held in Islamabad next month.

He said these players had visited Pakistan several times and had enjoyed the hospitality of the Pakistan Tennis Federation and people of Pakistan but now for no reason, they are making hue and cry.

Talking exclusively to The Nation from the USA, where he will play the year’s last Grand Slam, US Open, Aisam said: “It is disgusting and shameful that India started military operation in Occupied Kashmir. They are responsible for gross human rights violation in IHK and are the ones who are oppressors. We had already paid a very heavy price of terrorism and the undone crimes. Pakistan remains always at the receiving end despite making huge sacrifices for world peace. Our sports and our people have to suffer for last decade or so when International Tennis Federation had banned Davis Cup matches to be host by Pakistan. Now when ITF security team had visited Pakistan and has shown satisfaction with the arrangements made by Pakistan government and the PTF had assured that Indian delegation will get red box security, then why they are making lame excuses?”

Aisam said the ITF must take strict action against India if they keep on using lame excuses and according to ITF rules they must award Davis Cup tie to Pakistan.

He urged the Indian players to use some commonsense as they have visited Pakistan in the past as well and were fully aware of the fact that it was Pakistan, who was suffering for Indian deeds.

“India have far better and balanced side than Pakistan and on paper are more than 100 percent sure to win the tie. They have players who are in top 100 and top 200 and in top 50 and are playing ATP and other major tournaments round the year. On paper, we are highly underdogs and have almost zero percent chances. But we are never afraid of playing any given opponent. It would be great occasion and a message to international community that Pakistan and India are playing Davis Cup. They will never forget the hospitality and love given by the people of Pakistan and will feel like home and it will be good for the tennis and people of both countries as well.”

“We have suffered already for others deeds and now those who have inflicted miseries to the people of Kashmir must pay the price. If Indian team doesn’t want to come to play in Pakistan then the ITF must apply its rules simply. The world has to realise the sacrifices people of Pakistan, armed forces of Pakistan and sportsmen of Pakistan have to pay for war, which was always imposed on us. We are sports-loving and highly peaceful nation and we want to play sports and don’t believe in bringing politics into sports and expect same from others. Indian friends know that we always welcome them with open arms. I haven’t contacted Bhopana and other Indian tennis friends yet, but if I have to talk to them, for the sake of tennis and country, I am ready to play my role. But I once again remind ITF and India that Pakistan should not be punished for others deeds.”

Aisam said he and Aqeel have played for decades and know each other’s game as partners for last several years and always delivered for Pakistan and tennis. “I invited Aqeel to remain with me in Europe and it helped both of us. After long time, I played mixed doubles semi-finals at French Open and my performances were excellent while Aqeel also enjoyed and learnt a great deal and won the national tournament upon his return to Pakistan. As far as depth in Pakistan Davis Cup team is concerned, we don’t have any cover for me or Aqeel. But like I said, even if I have to go through pain barrier, I will do that and help Pakistan win the Davis Cup tie against India. My message for India and ITF is very clear. Come to Pakistan and feel the difference and don’t bow down to unwanted pressure. I know Indian team and their federation is facing huge pressure but they must fulfill their international obligations. I can assure them complete security and moments they will cherish for the rest of their lives,” Aisam concluded.

https://nation.com.pk/18-Aug-2019/a...ing-to-avoid-pakistan-visit-for-davis-cup-tie

 

[MenInG]

In what can be called a moral victory for India's efforts to convince the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to shift the Davis Cup tie against Pakistan to a neutral venue, the world body has now agreed to discuss this hot topic soon in London.

DNA has reliably learnt that the Davis Cup Committee, the highest decision-making body of ITF in matters related to Davis Cup, will most likely meet in London to take a final decision on All India Tennis Association's (AITA) request to either shift the tie to a neutral venue or postpone it till the security issues are resolved.

That was the prime reason why, for the second time in as many days, a teleconference between ITF officials and the AITA secretary along with non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi regarding Asia Oceania Group 1 tie was called off once again on Tuesday.

"The teleconference was cancelled. I just heard from AITA," Bhupathi also confirmed.

It is important to mention here that till a day before, ITF was adamant that "there is no security threat to Indian team", but AITA kept pressing over that it would be impossible for players to tour Islamabad "under present political unrest between the two countries".

India were all set to go to the neighbouring country before relations between the two countries deteriorated further in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir.


It has been reliably learnt that AITA also cited the threat to Indian cricket team, currently touring West Indies, where an email was sent to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) who immediately alerted the International Cricket Council and Board of Control for Cricket in India regarding this. "How can ITF guarantee security of tennis team on its own, when threats are even coming to Indian team outside the sub-continent," stated the AITA communication to ITF.

AITA has also let the world body know that "no player in Indian team is willing to tour Pak at this point of time" and there could well be a scenario where the "boycott remains the only option". And there was a previous instance when India forfeited the Davis Cup final in 1974 in South Africa because of their Apartheid policy.

The Indian team led by Vijay Amritraj then had beaten Japan, Australia and USSR to make it to the title round of the team competition. Of the three occasions that India have so far made it to the Davis Cup finals — the other two being in 1966 vs Australia and in 1987 vs Sweden — that was India's best chance of winning the Cup. But the prevailing political unrest, following 1971 war between the two countries, it was decided at the highest political level to not tour South Africa.

India also faced the similar backlash in 2009 when Australia team led by Lleyton Hewitt did not play in Chennai due to security concerns following 26/11 attacks. The situation then was also called "unsafe" by Aussies clubbed with general elections in India.

https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/rep...eet-and-discuss-davis-cup-venue-issue-2783496

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Breaking. India Pakistan <a href="https://twitter.com/DavisCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DavisCup</a> Tie postponed to November 2019 <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WIONews</a></p>— Digvijay Singh Deo (@DiggySinghDeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/DiggySinghDeo/status/1164550053043691520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Extra_Cover]

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has kept Islamabad as the venue for the rescheduled Davis Cup series between Pakistan and India.

Pakistan was due to host India on Saturday and Sunday on grass courts but the ITF last month postponed the Asia/Oceania Group I match. That decision came after tensions between the two countries escalated following India's move to revoke the special autonomy status of occupied Kashmir.

The ITF has given the Pakistan Tennis Federation until September 19 to confirm the precise dates of the two-day match for the week commencing on November 25.

In a statement issued on Friday, the ITF also said it "will continue to monitor the security situation in Pakistan with the host nation and our independent security advisers".

https://www.dawn.com/news/1505177/itf-keeps-islamabad-as-host-for-pakistan-india-davis-cup-match

 

[Ronaldo7]

So india didn't get what they wanted.

Good

 

[MenInG]

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has kept Islamabad as the venue for the rescheduled Davis Cup series between Pakistan and India.

Pakistan was due to host India on Saturday and Sunday on grass courts but the ITF last month postponed the Asia/Oceania Group I match. That decision came after tensions between the two countries escalated following India's move to revoke the special autonomy status of occupied Kashmir.

The ITF has given the Pakistan Tennis Federation until September 19 to confirm the precise dates of the two-day match for the week commencing on November 25.

In a statement issued on Friday, the ITF also said it "will continue to monitor the security situation in Pakistan with the host nation and our independent security advisers".

https://www.dawn.com/news/1505177/itf-keeps-islamabad-as-host-for-pakistan-india-davis-cup-match

 

[Sir-fraz]

Not Sure if Players Want To Play in Pakistan: Mahesh Bhupathi

Davis Cup captain Mahesh Bhupathi has revealed that Indian players aren’t sure of playing in Pakistan even though the contest is expected to go ahead as planned in late November.

The Asia Oceania Group 1 match was originally scheduled for September 14-15 in Islamabad but the International Tennis Federation (ITF) postponed it in the light of the diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.

Bhupathi, though, says that there are no issues from the Indian government. “The tie is on. It will be played on grass in Islamabad on November 29-30. There are no issues from the government, but I am not sure if players want to go to Pakistan and play,” Bhupathi was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

Had ITF not rescheduled the fixtures, owing to the conditions, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) would have been forced to pull out of the tie.

Bhupathi also touched upon the age-old question of why India hasn’t been able to produce more Grand Slams champions. “Tennis is not in the DNA of Indians,” he said. “That’s why it is difficult to churn out Grand Slams champions. For us, it takes a minor miracle to produce one. Like in France, Spain, US, Argentina and other European countries, there are always 10 to 15 players competing.”

https://www.india.com/sports/not-sure-if-players-want-to-play-in-pakistan-mahesh-bhupathi-3788430/

 

[MenInG]

After much debate, the India vs Pakistan Davis Cup tie was postponed to November. In the meantime, India’s Leander Paes shares his memories from the 2006 clash between the two countries, during which he became a father.

On a recent Friday morning in Mumbai, Leander Paes was at a club in Juhu, wearing a purple T-shirt and black shorts, and smiling at some old memories. Among other things, ETPanache asked him about the contentious India vs Pakistan Davis Cup tie, which the International Tennis Federation (ITF) postponed from September to November due to tension between the two countries.

“I am not sure any of us know what is going to happen. They have postponed it to November and might have to pick a venue, I think,” said Paes, 46, and no longer a certainty in the team as a new generation of players grows under non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi.

But the last time India and Pakistan played, at Mumbai’s Cricket Club of India (CCI) in 2006, Paes was in the thick of it on and off the court. His daughter, Aiyana, was born at Breach Candy hospital and a few days later, he won a dramatic deciding match in the gloaming at the Brabourne. In fact, the tie was played in Mumbai because his partner at the time, Rhea Pillai, was pregnant with their child.

Nostalgia
“It was a very interesting time for me as my daughter was born around that same weekend,” Paes said, breaking into a grin. “I was with the team practising during the day and sleeping in the hospital in the night to make sure that my daughter was okay.”

Leander Paes plays during the Mixed Doubles match with Samantha Stosur of Australia against Kveta Peschke and Wesley Koolhof during the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in January, 2019.

“We had Prakash Amritraj and Rohan Bopanna playing the singles, Mahesh [Bhupathi] and I were playing the doubles,” said Paes.

By the end of the second day of the tie, India were up 2-1. Just one more win and they were home. But Pakistan squared at 2-2. Paes took on the mantle of playing the decisive fifth match against Pakistan’s Aqeel Khan.

A battle against the elements
“It was a daunting task as I had not played singles in a long time. I was just entrusted this position, which I had to handle,” said the veteran of three decades on the ATP Tour. “I remember after being two sets to love up, I started getting cramps. I was not used to playing in the heat and humidity of Marine Drive. My cheeks were bleeding because of all the wrist-band rubbing and sand in the air. I got cramps in the beginning of the third set.”

His father Vece Paes, who was the team doctor, fitness trainer Dave Herman and coach Sanjay Singh were by Paes’s side.

“The team helped me manage a tough situation,” Paes said. “Before the fifth set I took a toilet break and took a wash. I was getting cramps all over. It was just perseverance — mind over matter. When you are out there in a sport like tennis, you are alone, there is no one to help you hold the racquet.”

Paes was so tired in the fifth set that he did not remember the score, but knew he was ahead and that he had to somehow hold on to the lead.

“I knew I was a break up and had to maintain that lead,” he said. “That was one of the hardest Davis Cup ties in my career. I was not only able to win it for India but also win it in the week that my daughter was born.”

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...p-ties-of-his-career/articleshow/71607050.cms

 

[MenInG]

India's tennis association will apply for visas for their Davis Cup tie against Pakistan next month but expects the fixture to be moved away from Islamabad, AITA Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee told Reuters on Wednesday.

The Asia/Oceania Group I tie, originally scheduled for September 14-15 in Islamabad, was postponed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to late November following a security review.

"We've begun the visa procedure while waiting for a confirmation on the venue by the ITF," Chatterjee said by telephone.

"We've requested a change in venue and ITF has promised to get back to us by Nov 3."

Pakistan was forced to host Davis Cup ties at neutral venues for more than a decade as teams refused to travel to the country citing security concerns.

They played their first home tie after a gap of 12 years against Iran in 2017, while Hong Kong was relegated and fined by the ITF after they refused to travel to Pakistan the same year.

Pakistan responded to Delhi's decision to revoke the special autonomy status of occupied Kashmir in August by downgrading diplomatic ties with India and suspending cross-border train services, the Samjhauta Express and the Thar Express, to India.

Chatterjee said it was premature to talk about a possible pullout by top players should the ITF stick to Islamabad as the venue and was optimistic the governing body would shift the tie.

"Based on the current situation, ITF should," he said.



https://www.dawn.com/news/1511171/india-optimistic-davis-cup-tie-will-be-shifted-from-islamabad

 

[cricketjoshila]

ITF agrees to AITA, shifts Davis Cup tie out of Pakistan

https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/spor...ks-for-neutral-venue/article29882037.ece/amp/

 

[cricketjoshila]

Moderator s please update the thread.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Pathetic.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Pathetic.

Why)

 

[Iqbal'sh]

Why)

Explain why it isn’t?

 

[cricketjoshila]

Explain why it isn’t?

Security is paramount.

 

[Asim_khan]

Security is paramount.

Nobody cares about Mr Chatterjee the tennis player, if the Royal couple can travel to Pakistan, a tennis racquet wielding call centre advisor with bad dental hygiene can safely play a couple of game unmolested.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Nobody cares about Mr Chatterjee the tennis player, if the Royal couple can travel to Pakistan, a tennis racquet wielding call centre advisor with bad dental hygiene can safely play a couple of game unmolested.

Nobody cares about what you or Pakistan think.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

Security is paramount.

Iran played their Davis Cup tie in Pakistan in 2017, Hong Kong refused last year and were fined by the ITA. Thereby setting a precedent.
Since then the security situation is much better, Pakistan have just hosted SL in a much higher profile sport with success only two months ago. The second in line to the British throne visited two weeks ago.
So please elaborate how security is an issue??

 

[cricketjoshila]

Iran played their Davis Cup tie in Pakistan in 2017, Hong Kong refused last year and were fined by the ITA. Thereby setting a precedent.
Since then the security situation is much better, Pakistan have just hosted SL in a much higher profile sport with success only two months ago. The second in line to the British throne visited two weeks ago.
So please elaborate how security is an issue??

1. The ITA independent consultants said its not advisable to visit.

2. Heads of State visits mean little, they have limited mobility and interaction. Will the English cricket team visit? Or Aussies? Or NZ?

3. SL may think it is safe. Others may not.

At the end of the day ITA thought it was too much of a risk. If anything happens, ITA and its officials will be held responsible for coercing Indian players to visit.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

1. The ITA independent consultants said its not advisable to visit.

2. Heads of State visits mean little, they have limited mobility and interaction. Will the English cricket team visit? Or Aussies? Or NZ?

3. SL may think it is safe. Others may not.

At the end of the day ITA thought it was too much of a risk. If anything happens, ITA and its officials will be held responsible for coercing Indian players to visit.

How convenient you ignored the previous ITA decisions and the precedent set in regards to Hong Kong. What makes India a special case?

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: Pakistan tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has termed International Tennis Federation's (ITF) decision to shift the Indo-Pak Davis Cup tie to a neutral venue as "shocking and disgraceful", saying by doing so the world body has discriminated with his country.

"A really shocking, embarrassing, disgraceful, sad and unfair decision by @ITF_Tennis to hold this @DavisCup tie on a neutral venue. Once again #Pakistan is getting penalised for someone else's actions. To me it's an absolute discrimination at every level," tweeted Qureshi, who had paired with India's Rohan Bopanna in the ATP circuit in the past.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A really shocking,embarrassing,disgraceful,sad and unfair decision by <a href="https://twitter.com/ITF_Tennis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ITF_Tennis</a> to hold this <a href="https://twitter.com/DavisCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DavisCup</a> tie on a neutral venue.Once again <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> is getting penalised for someone else's actions. To me it's an absolute discrimination at every level. <a href="https://t.co/JGXgB2mYx9">pic.twitter.com/JGXgB2mYx9</a></p>— Aisam ul Haq Qureshi (@aisamhqureshi) <a href="https://twitter.com/aisamhqureshi/status/1191699397329014787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In a big relief for India's national tennis federation (AITA), the ITF on Monday decided to shift the country's Davis Cup tie against Pakistan from Islamabad to a neutral venue.

The November 29-30 contest has already been rescheduled once, owing to security concerns raised by India.

The tie was scheduled to be held in September but was delayed when India expressed concerns about the safety of their players due to the prevailing diplomatic tensions between the two nations after the revocation of Article 370.

According to Davis Cup regulations, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) now has the choice to nominate a neutral venue. It has five working days to confirm its proposed venue.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOIDesktop

 

[cricketjoshila]

How convenient you ignored the previous ITA decisions and the precedent set in regards to Hong Kong. What makes India a special case?

HongKong was 2 years back. This is today.

Why SL teams tour but SENA teams dont?

 

[Iqbal'sh]

^If these sentiments of Aisam hold, after a few days reflection, then Pakistan should just forfeit the tie in protest.
A truly rotten and discriminatory decision.

 

[cricketjoshila]

^If these sentiments of Aisam hold, after a few days reflection, then Pakistan should just forfeit the tie in protest.
A truly rotten and discriminatory decision.

Why discriminatory?

Is Pakistan holding regular cricket or Hockey matches? If not why should a Tennis team be made to tour?

 

[Iqbal'sh]

HongKong was 2 years back. This is today.

Why SL teams tour but SENA teams dont?

India is not SENA.
Now tell me what changed for the ITF to make this decision?
Hint the answer is in the times of India article posted above. I want you to post the reason.
Come on man up now and show a bit more heart than your tennis players and tennis federation.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

Why discriminatory?

Is Pakistan holding regular cricket or Hockey matches? If not why should a Tennis team be made to tour?

Answer the reason for the ITF to make this decision and I’ll explain exactly how it is discriminatory.

 

[cricketjoshila]

India is not SENA.
Now tell me what changed for the ITF to make this decision?
Hint the answer is in the times of India article posted above. I want you to post the reason.
Come on man up now and show a bit more heart than your tennis players and tennis federation.

You may think Indian lives are worth lesser than SENA ones, but thats your opinion.

Its common on PP to rate Asians to be lesser than SENA.

What changed? Their security consultant s report changed.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Answer the reason for the ITF to make this decision and I’ll explain exactly how it is discriminatory.

The statement read: "Following a review of the latest advice given by the ITF's independent security advisors, the Davis Cup Committee has taken the decision that the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie between Pakistan and India on 29-30 November 2019, must be played at a neutral venue.

Reason is this.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

The statement read: "Following a review of the latest advice given by the ITF's independent security advisors, the Davis Cup Committee has taken the decision that the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie between Pakistan and India on 29-30 November 2019, must be played at a neutral venue.

Reason is this.

I understand English is not your first language so let me help you. Definition of REASON:

‘a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.’

The explanation or justification is based on:

India expressed concerns about the safety of their players due to the prevailing diplomatic tensions between the two nations after the revocation of Article 370.

That’s taken from times of india news posted above.
Can you explain what Pakistan has to do with India revoking 370? Were Pakistanis consulted? How can the ITF say security in Pakistan has changed because of a unilateral decision taken by India?

 

[Iqbal'sh]

You may think Indian lives are worth lesser than SENA ones, but thats your opinion.

Its common on PP to rate Asians to be lesser than SENA.

What changed? Their security consultant s report changed.

You’re the one implying Sri Lankan lives are worth less than Indian (which are equal to SENA). I didn’t say anything of the sort. You are obviously a mind reader. Not a very good one though.

 

[sweep_shot]

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) will appeal the International Tennis Federation (ITF) decision to shift this month’s Davis Cup tie against India to a neutral venue from Islamabad, its president Salim Saifullah said on Tuesday.

Tennis’ world governing body said on Monday that its independent security advisors had advised to shift the November 29-30 Asia/Oceania Group I tie following a security review amid political tensions between the bitter neighbours.

The tie was earlier scheduled for September 14-15 in Islamabad but was postponed to November after high tension between Pakistan and India over Kashmir. In August, India revoked the special status of the part of Kashmir that it administers.

“We are upset, we will register our protest, this decision has disappointed us,” Saifullah told Dawn on Tuesday. “The ITF has shifted the tie while citing security issues but it hasn’t given a specific reason.

“As far as the Kashmir situation is concerned, it is India which has imposed a curfew there which has raised tensions. But it doesn’t mean that we should be deprived of hosting sporting events. Sports has nothing to do with politics.

Saifullah, however, added that if the ITF wasn’t going to review its decision, the PTF was already looking at “options like Thailand, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka and Turkey” to host the match.

The PTF will have to act fast. Announcing its decision, the ITF said that the PTF had five business days to nominate its neutral venue.

“Following a review of the latest advice given by the ITF’s independent security advisors, the Davis Cup Committee has taken the decision that the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie between Pakistan and India on 29-30 November 2019, must be played at a neutral venue,” the ITF said in a statement.

“The ITF and Davis Cup Committee’s first priority has always been the safety of athletes, officials and spectators and the decision was made on this basis. As per the Davis Cup Regulations, the Pakistan Tennis Federation now has the choice to nominate a neutral venue and has five working days to confirm their proposed venue. The venue will be announced once the choice has been submitted and approved.”

The ITF decision left many current and former Pakistan Davis Cuppers dismayed. And it comes despite the PTF having held several international events in Islamabad over the last few years.

“Really shocking, embarrassing, disgraceful, sad and unfair decision by ITF to hold this Davis Cup tie on neutral venue,” Pakistan’s star player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi wrote on Twitter. “Once again Pakistan is getting penalised for someone else actions. To me it’s an absolute discrimination at every level.”

Former Davis Cupper Hameed-ul-Haq said the ITF had hurt sentiments of an expectant country.

“The moment ITF had postponed it, I knew they were going to shift it to a neutral venue,” he told Dawn. “The ITF under influence of India directed PTF to shift the venue, which is a disgrace and injustice.

“India was coming to Pakistan after 54 long years as last time we hosted them was in 1964. But the ITF has deprived Pakistani tennis lovers of watching some great tennis.”

Former Davis Cupper Mushaf Zia, the designated non-playing captain of the Pakistan, said it was beyond him why the tie was shifted.

“Pakistan is a safe country, where sporting events are regularly taking place,” he told Dawn. “There are no question marks over security here.”

The ITF decision, meanwhile, was welcomed on the other side of the border.

“We are very happy and welcome the ITF decision about the venue change,” All India Tennis Association (AITA) General Secretary Hironmoy Chatterjee was quoted as saying by Reuters. “We will wait for the PTF to choose the venue and then name our team.”

Indian captain and multiple doubles Grand Slam winner Mahesh Bhupathi called it a “sensible decision”.

“I think it’s just a sensible decision with the current situation,” Bhupathi was quoted as saying. “Davis Cup is already a high pressure situation and having additional stress on security issues was not ideal for anyone.”

Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1515111/pakistan-to-appeal-itf-decision-of-shifting-india-davis-cup-tie.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I understand English is not your first language so let me help you. Definition of REASON:

‘a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.’

The explanation or justification is based on:



That’s taken from times of india news posted above.
Can you explain what Pakistan has to do with India revoking 370? Were Pakistanis consulted? How can the ITF say security in Pakistan has changed because of a unilateral decision taken by India?

Your grasp of the language and comprehension is worse than a 2yr old.

The justification is the report of security consultant. The need for that report was Indias apprehension.

 

[cricketjoshila]

You’re the one implying Sri Lankan lives are worth less than Indian (which are equal to SENA). I didn’t say anything of the sort. You are obviously a mind reader. Not a very good one though.

No. You just said India is not SENA.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

Your grasp of the language and comprehension is worse than a 2yr old.

The justification is the report of security consultant. The need for that report was Indias apprehension.

I think you are less than qualified to make such statements.
My question was simple. What is the reason the ITF have given to support this change of venue? What is in the supporting evidence that the security advisors have forwarded to the ITF.
Both of us know what the debate is about. I’ve even quoted the relevant part from the times of india in my previous post.

Are you going to keep on deflecting and deviating or are you going to grow a pair and actually answer the points raised?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Nobody cares about what you or Pakistan think.

You care that is why you come here and reply to their posts.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

No. You just said India is not SENA.

Do you want me to list the names of SENA players that have come and played cricket in Pakistan in the last two years?
Somehow they didn’t consider there lives as valuable according to your thinking.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I think you are less than qualified to make such statements.
My question was simple. What is the reason the ITF have given to support this change of venue? What is in the supporting evidence that the security advisors have forwarded to the ITF.
Both of us know what the debate is about. I’ve even quoted the relevant part from the times of india in my previous post.

Are you going to keep on deflecting and deviating or are you going to grow a pair and actually answer the points raised?

The reason is the report. The evidence the report is based on will be with ITF.

AITA made a request to ITFA, IT was regarding the security of its players. ITFs security consultant too agreed that it was unsafe. If ITF security consultant had not agreed, the venue may not have been shifted.

 

[big_gamer007]

Good decision, lack of trust between the two nations is at an all time high, no point taking any risks.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Do you want me to list the names of SENA players that have come and played cricket in Pakistan in the last two years?
Somehow they didn’t consider there lives as valuable according to your thinking.

Do you want me to list out the number of teams that have refused to go to Pakistan and the number of players who have pulled out?


Somehow giving a name of a handful of individuals is not going to convince many.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

The reason is the report. The evidence the report is based on will be with ITF.

AITA made a request to ITFA, IT was regarding the security of its players. ITFs security consultant too agreed that it was unsafe. If ITF security consultant had not agreed, the venue may not have been shifted.

Not surprised you have again skirted the issue and as predicted you don’t have the guts to mention the K word or the number 370.

The PTF president has stated:

“We are upset, we will register our protest, this decision has disappointed us,” Saifullah told Dawn on Tuesday. “The ITF has shifted the tie while citing security issues but it hasn’t given a specific reason.

No specific reason given!! What kind of sham federation are we dealing with here.

The facts you don’t want to digest are that the chicken hearted AITA and it’s players are creaming themselves over having to play in a hostile atmosphere. Mental midgets is what they are.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

Good decision, lack of trust between the two nations is at an all time high, no point taking any risks.

Pakistan are taking the big risks. You do understand the fallout if anything was to happen to the AITA officials and players?
If Pakistan is comfortable with this, who are India to object, especially the rise in tensions and mistrust are squarely down to the Indian government recent actions.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

Do you want me to list out the number of teams that have refused to go to Pakistan and the number of players who have pulled out?


Somehow giving a name of a handful of individuals is not going to convince many.

Are you brain dead? You equated Indian lives to those of SENA, when I pointed out a whole host of SENA players have been to Pakistan to play cricket then your point no longer holds unless you think the Ashes winning captain, South African skipper etc have less regard for their lives.

 

[CanadianG00se]

Are you brain dead? You equated Indian lives to those of SENA, when I pointed out a whole host of SENA players have been to Pakistan to play cricket then your point no longer holds unless you think the Ashes winning captain, South African skipper etc have less regard for their lives.

They all came for the fat pay cheque they were receiving from PCB. We all know what happened when PCB refused to pay a dime to SL players this time around. Let’s not fool ourselves and think those players you mentioned visited out of goodwill( maybe some but most visited for a paycheque)

Lastly, players visiting for individual gain is not same as players visiting as a team. As [MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] mentioned why haven’t team of those players( ashes captain, Faf Du Plesis etc) visited Pakistan yet?

 

[big_gamer007]

Pakistan are taking the big risks. You do understand the fallout if anything was to happen to the AITA officials and players?
If Pakistan is comfortable with this, who are India to object, especially the rise in tensions and mistrust are squarely down to the Indian government recent actions.

If something happens to Indian players, the government in India will be under tremendous pressure to do something, public and media will be bloodthirsty, war will ruin the economy and and set our country back few decades, if the government does not take concrete action it will possibly be toppled.

Why would any government take such a risk? Why would they want to get themselves in a difficult position?
What is the benefit to send players to Pakistan? From official Indian POV, Pakistan is not an ally state. Why would they do anything which for a non-ally (possibly enemy) which can result is a backlash?

You think mistrust and tension is recent? Lol
I don't indulge in blame game but you need to understand the mistrust is growing since last few decades. Temporarily relations might not be on boiling point but throughout the last 7 decades you will have a considerate number of people on both sides who dislike each other. Eventually, due to sizable number of people with such mentality, you are bound to get someone in leadership who will exploit the situation.

Pakistani leadership from it's inception caused the sour relations between the two nations. Just blaming the recent events shows a very narrow view in grand scheme of things.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

They all came for the fat pay cheque they were receiving from PCB. We all know what happened when PCB refused to pay a dime to SL players this time around. Let’s not fool ourselves and think those players you mentioned visited out of goodwill( maybe some but most visited for a paycheque)

Lastly, players visiting for individual gain is not same as players visiting as a team. As [MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] mentioned why haven’t team of those players( ashes captain, Faf Du Plesis etc) visited Pakistan yet?

All players want fat pay cheques. The reason SENA players go to the IPL is not to fulfill their cravings for curry. Despite this they are also happy with the security arrangements otherwise it makes no sense to get a fat pay cheque and not living to enjoy it.

A team of players, including the two mentioned above, have visited two years ago to play as a World XI. England are due to tour in 2022, discussions are taking place already as they are with the ACB. It’s a fluid situation.

According to you the main Lankan players refused to tour because of the money vs security balance not being in their favour.
You forget that the tour was sanctioned by the ICC and the officials from West Indies, England and Australia had no issues in visiting.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

Pakistani leadership from it's inception caused the sour relations between the two nations. Just blaming the recent events shows a very narrow view in grand scheme of things.

But of course they did, I mean India is the land of Gandhism so they wouldn’t indulge in such behaviour. As an example the support given to the Mukhti Bahini is a figment of ones imagination.

You can try to deviate as much as you like, but the current situation is down to Indian government decision to revoke 370.
As always they want to have the cake and eat it as well.

 

[Itachi]

I understand English is not your first language so let me help you. Definition of REASON:

‘a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.’

The explanation or justification is based on:



That’s taken from times of india news posted above.
Can you explain what Pakistan has to do with India revoking 370? Were Pakistanis consulted? How can the ITF say security in Pakistan has changed because of a unilateral decision taken by India?

Everything has a frame of reference. Your frame of reference is, India's objection lead to review by ITF.

my reason would be, after India's objection, the security concerns were reviewed and deemed not secure. Unless you have the documents which outlines the concerns that the security holds which goes back to Indias revocation of 370, you can't explicitly say what were the concerns.

You are defining it in your own terms and claiming your hypothesis as a theory which in true sense, has no substance to stand with except your sepculation.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Not surprised you have again skirted the issue and as predicted you don’t have the guts to mention the K word or the number 370.

The PTF president has stated:


No specific reason given!! What kind of sham federation are we dealing with here.

The facts you don’t want to digest are that the chicken hearted AITA and it’s players are creaming themselves over having to play in a hostile atmosphere. Mental midgets is what they are.

1. Lol. Teams have refused to tour Pakistan since a decade or more. Pakistan has created an issue over Indian parliament amending the indian constitution and Kashmir is part of India since 1948.

2. PTF doesnot like the ITF, they can pack their bags and leave. The fact is that international terrorists roam freely in pakistan and international terrorist organisation function there. Few people want to risk their lives going there. Be it cricket teams or hockey teams or tennis teams. They are sportsmen and didn't sign up to risk their lives.

 

[big_gamer007]

But of course they did, I mean India is the land of Gandhism so they wouldn’t indulge in such behaviour. As an example the support given to the Mukhti Bahini is a figment of ones imagination.

You can try to deviate as much as you like, but the current situation is down to Indian government decision to revoke 370.
As always they want to have the cake and eat it as well.

That's why I avoid these arguments, because most of the people on both side of the borders are narrow and closed minded as you. The favourite defence for both set of people is to blame the others .

India-Pak problems will continue for many decades till people don't accept the short comings/wrong doings of their own governments/citizens. Then try to move forward.

Problem with almost every Pakistani PPer here minus maybe [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] is that you don't want to accept your own wrong doings of the past, I'll give you a short example, after independence Kashmir was a princely state and it was neither part of India nor Pakistan. Some Kashmiris rebelled against the king and Pakistani army helped them openly and tried to annex Kashmir, king asked Indian government for help and rest is history. Now in an ideal world, Pakistan army should never have got involved and let the people fight against the king and get their own freedom/merge with Pakistan in future/or India or whatever they wanted. However, they got involved and the justification almost every PPer gives is that they did because Indian army did the same in Junagadh. Yet the same PPers consider Indian army annexation of Junagadh as wrong, but support Pakistani army actions. Two wrongs never make a right, yet so called educated people here like yourself use this absurd reasoning as defence. No wonder both India and Pakistan still have so many issues.

Another example, you quoted Multi Bahni, from your post it's clear you consider them as wrong, yet you will never come out openly and say Pakistan supporting separatist elements in Kashmir valley is wrong. You will use the example since India used Mukti Bahni in 70s, Pakistan's support to Kashmiri separatist is *** for tat. You justify your nations wrong policies just because the other nation committed the same wrong policies years ago.

Ultimately if both nations have to progress into the developed world the people of both the countries need to accept their wrong doings of past and present and work on relevant issues.

Let's hope you understand it

 

[Iqbal'sh]

Everything has a frame of reference. Your frame of reference is, India's objection lead to review by ITF.

my reason would be, after India's objection, the security concerns were reviewed and deemed not secure. Unless you have the documents which outlines the concerns that the security holds which goes back to Indias revocation of 370, you can't explicitly say what were the concerns.

You are defining it in your own terms and claiming your hypothesis as a theory which in true sense, has no substance to stand with except your sepculation.

Before posting such drivel it would help to read the previous material already posted.
Times of India:
The tie was scheduled to be held in September but was delayed when India expressed concerns about the safety of their players due to the prevailing diplomatic tensions between the two nations after the revocation of Article 370.

Sportstar.TheHindu:
The tie earlier was scheduled to be held on September 14-15 but was delayed when India expressed concerns about the safety of their players due to the prevailing diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Before posting such drivel it would help to read the previous material already posted.
Times of India:
The tie was scheduled to be held in September but was delayed when India expressed concerns about the safety of their players due to the prevailing diplomatic tensions between the two nations after the revocation of Article 370.

Sportstar.TheHindu:
The tie earlier was scheduled to be held on September 14-15 but was delayed when India expressed concerns about the safety of their players due to the prevailing diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

India expressed concerns. ITF agreed with that. Because they were genuine.

Now India should not even express their views?

 

[Iqbal'sh]

1. Lol. Teams have refused to tour Pakistan since a decade or more. Pakistan has created an issue over Indian parliament amending the indian constitution and Kashmir is part of India since 1948.

2. PTF doesnot like the ITF, they can pack their bags and leave. The fact is that international terrorists roam freely in pakistan and international terrorist organisation function there. Few people want to risk their lives going there. Be it cricket teams or hockey teams or tennis teams. They are sportsmen and didn't sign up to risk their lives.

1) Not for Davis Cup ties. The last one that did that was fined and relegated. The security situation in Pakistan has only improved since then. Try again.
2) Says the guy who has a terrorist as a PM, and before you respond with the usual but he was acquitted nonsense - he was still the CM and let the whole episode escalate on his watch. The fact that Hindu mobs targeted Muslim houses and were found carrying official lists of residents is enough to suggest this was organised at the government level.

Plenty of sports stars, sports officials and media have visited Pakistan recently. No one has expressed any concerns for their safety so stop peddling your rubbish.

 

[Iqbal'sh]

India expressed concerns. ITF agreed with that. Because they were genuine.

Now India should not even express their views?

India expressed concerns over diplomatic relations worsening and tensions increasing due to an act perpetuated by their government.
How can you then use that as a security complaint?
Don’t do the deed if you can’t manage the consequences.
Like I said you are a chicken hearted nation.


PTF has rightly appealed this discriminatory decision, will see what comes of that. I’m not wasting any more time responding to your nonsense.