An anxious All India Tennis Federation has written to International Tennis Federation today requesting the latter to do another security review in Pakistan post Kashmir developments and downgrading of diplomatic relations for the forthcoming Asia Oceania Davis Cup tie in September to the satisfaction of “all stakeholders”. The letter, a copy of which is with THE WEEK, also stated clearly that the onus of ensuring security for the tie lies with the ITF.
The ITF is yet to respond to the letter. Its last communication with AITA was on August 9, wherein it had reiterated it was fine with the security set up for the tie and it was to go ahead as per schedule.
Hiranmoy Chatterjee, secretary general of AITA, wrote to the ITF co-ordinate saying, “As already mentioned in our earlier e-mails, India was looking forward to playing its next Davis Cup Tie against Pakistan in Islamabad. All India Tennis Association (AITA) has full confidence in ITF and PTF for organizing an excellent Davis Cup tie. In fact our Indian Players had also responded positively. Copy of newspaper article which appeared on 8th August 2019 is attached. ITF team had done a security and logistic check and has recommended that the tie can be safely conducted in Islamabad. You have also stated that for the ITF the first priority is safety of the players, officials and stakeholders.”
The letter further clarified that the Indian government was not interfering in the matter and had left it to AITA and ITF to take a call. “Govt. of India has asked us to follow the Olympic Charter. It has, however, been clearly stated by AITA to the Govt and to the players that the ITF has taken full responsibility for safety and security of the players and the stakeholders. We are aware that you had done a safety check before the diplomatic ties have been downgraded. 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.”
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The Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan was asked to leave last week after Indian government decided to scrap Article 370 which gave Jammu and Kashmir special status.
Chatterjee’s letter further added, “AITA is, therefore, waiting for your final certificate confirming the safety of all the stakeholders and the details of the security plan prepared from the arrival of the team to its departure so that we can start applying for visas for travelling to Pakistan and to make necessary travel arrangements.”
Last week, the AITA had told all the Indian Davis Cup team members to apply for visa to Pakistan. The Indian players had raised concerns over the security situation in Pakistan. The country has not hosted any major international sporting events in recent past owing to security concerns.
The letter concluded with an assurance to the ITF that it would stand by whatever decision it took. “In case ITF in consultation with PTF is not 100% sure about the safety of the stakeholders, ITF may advise us the future course of action and AITA will respectfully follow the decision of the ITF.”
