For the primary time in 60 years, an Indian tennis group has travelled to Pakistan to play a Davis Cup tie. The ten-member contingent, together with the 5 gamers, assist employees and coaches, landed in Islamabad for the World Group 1 playoff tie, to be held between February 3-4, on Sunday to a heat reception regardless of the All India Tennis Affiliation’s (AITA) makes an attempt to have the tie moved to a impartial venue.
“I can say we’re all effectively sorted,” Anil Dhupar, secretary basic of AITA, advised The Indian Specific over the cellphone from Islamabad. “Having been right here 24 hours, I can say all is effectively. From the reception on the airport from the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) to the three-hour-long apply the gamers had as we speak, the hospitality has been nice.”
The Pakistan Sports activities Board (PSB) and PTF have ensured to observe the safety preparations accredited by the ITF and have granted the group the safety cowl often reserved for heads of state.
Safety personnel at Islamabad Sports activities Complicated forward of the Davis Cup 2024 tie between India and Pakistan, in Islamabad. (PTI Picture)
“Since an Indian group has come to Pakistan after 60 years, we’re taking further precaution. There are 4 to 5 layers of safety across the Indian group. I, as occasion safety supervisor, am with them throughout journey,” Col Gul Rehman, secretary basic of the PTF, advised PTI.
Sporting ties proceed to stay frosty between India and Pakistan. In latest occasions, nonetheless, a Pakistan group traveled to India for the cricket World Cup, and an Indian bridge group had travelled to Lahore for the Bridge Federation of Asia and Center-East Championships (BFAME) the place they gained 4 gold medals, guaranteeing qualification for the World Championships.
Not like in 2019, when India have been slated to play in Pakistan however geopolitical tensions between the international locations meant the tie was shifted to a impartial venue in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan, this time round, the Worldwide Tennis Federation (ITF) rejected AITA’s appeals for a similar. The nationwide federation first noticed its enchantment rejected by the Davis Cup Committee, after which by an unbiased ITF tribunal. As soon as no extra choices have been left at their disposal, AITA approached the Sports activities Ministry looking for permission for the group to go to Pakistan, which was accredited with out a lot resistance.
If India have been to forego the tie, they might be instantly relegated again to World Group 2 and will doubtlessly endure sanctions from the ITF. Forfeiting the tie had by no means been a consideration, the authorities say. “There was no query,” Dhupar says. “We did what we may to get a impartial venue, however since we couldn’t, we’re right here. All that’s behind us now. What issues is the boys are charged up for this one now.”
With India’s top-ranked singles gamers Sumit Nagal – contemporary off a run to the second spherical of the Australian Open – and Sasikumar Mukund pulling out of the tie final month itself, the World No. 463 Ramkumar Ramanathan will spearhead an Indian contingent filled with doubles specialists. Nagal had gained each of his singles rubbers and spearheaded India’s house win over Morocco within the World Group 2 tie in Lucknow in September alongside Rohan Bopanna, who has now retired from Davis Cup obligation.
Yuki Bhambri, who’s now a full-time doubles participant, could also be roped in to play a singles rubber if wanted. Saketh Myneni, N Sriram Balaji, and Niki Poonacha are the opposite gamers within the squad.
Pakistan’s contingent can be led by their veterans. 43-year-old Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, ranked World No. 127 in doubles and having reached a US Open ultimate alongside Bopanna again in 2010, is their highest-profile participant. 43-year-old Aqeel Khan, nonetheless enjoying nationally although he’s not on the singles or doubles world rankings, can be alongside him. 23-year-old Muzammil Murtaza, ranked 1679, may also be a part of the group.
Discover more from PressNewsAgency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.