India is at risk of forfeiting a Davis Cup play-off hosted by Pakistan as the All India Tennis Association (AITA) awaits approval from New Delhi for the team’s travel. The request to shift the fixture to a third country was rejected by the International Tennis Federation tribunal. The AITA secretary-general, Anil Dhupar, stated that the proposal is pending with the sports ministry, and a decision is awaited. The match is scheduled for February 3-4, and 18 members of the Indian squad have applied for visas.
Pakistan Tennis Federation president Salim Saifullah Khan assured that all arrangements, including security and accommodation, have been made for the Indian team. He urged for politics to be kept away from sports. The last time Pakistan hosted the Indian tennis team was in 2006, and the Indian Davis Cup team last visited Islamabad in 1964. Political tensions prompted the relocation of a 2019 match to Kazakhstan. Sporting contests between India and Pakistan are infrequent due to longstanding animosity, and cricket remains one of the few arenas where they compete, though bilateral series have not occurred in over a decade. In September, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the 50-over Asia Cup, leading Pakistan to share hosting duties with Sri Lanka. Pakistan traveled to India for the Cricket World Cup the following month after its request to stage some matches in a third country was denied.
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