The All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Tuesday, sought guidance from the Sports Ministry regarding the national team’s journey to Pakistan for the Davis Cup World Group 1 Play-off tie in Islamabad in February next year. This move from the AITA follows the rejection of its request by the International Tennis Federation Tribunal to relocate the tie to a neutral venue.
AITA awaiting reply on Davis Cup tour in Pakistan:
Scheduled to be played at the Pakistan Sports Complex on February 3 and 4, the AITA’s Secretary General, Anil Dhupar, had previously informed PTI that the association would approach the Sports Ministry on Monday to seek advice on whether they can dispatch a team.
“We have asked for Sports Ministry’s advice as to what the policy is on travelling to Pakistan. It’s the World Cup of tennis. We are awaiting a reply,” AITA Secretary General Anil Dhupar told PTI.
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The history between India and Pakistan in Davis Cup encounters dates back to 2019, where the tie was originally set to happen across the border. However, the AITA successfully managed to shift the venue to Kazakhstan, citing political tensions between the two nations.
The last time these two teams faced each other in India was in 2006, hosted in Mumbai, and before that, the Indian Davis Cup team traveled to Pakistan in 1964. During that visit, players like Akhtar Ali, Premjit Lall, and SP Misra contributed to a 4-0 victory for the visitors in Lahore.
As the AITA navigates the complexities of the Davis Cup tie location and the historical context of sporting engagements between India and Pakistan, the Sports Ministry’s advice holds significance in determining the course of action for the upcoming event.
