The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has requested the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to view the India-Pakistan situation in the proper perspective and take suo moto decision to either postpone the Davis Cup tie, scheduled to be held in Islamabad on September 14 and 15, or shift it to a neutral venue.
Categorically stating that the AITA was not seeking any shift of venue as yet, and pleading to the ITF, to only go by the official communication and not refer to media reports, the national federation has asked the ITF to note the ground realities, rather than just look at the security arrangements at the venue.
READ | ITF to take final call on India vs Pakistan Davis Cup tie
Current scenario
Making a long list of points to highlight the prevalent tension between the two countries, the AITA pointed out that the Pakistan air space had been closed, and the bus, train services had been stopped.
"We do not have an Ambassador any longer in Islamabad’’, the AITA stressed, in its communication to ITF on Wednesday.
Following up with a rejoinder, the AITA pointed out that the Davis Cup tie between India and the US had been postponed , despite the Indian team already being present in North Carolina in September 2001, "even though there was no further security threat’’.
The ITF had postponed the tie then, "considering the overall mood in USA", the AITA highlighted in its communication.
READ | PTF rules out shifting of Davis Cup tie against India to neutral venue
Suggesting that good atmosphere was extremely important for Davis Cup ties, the AITA observed that, ‘’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’’.
The AITA has, in fact, sought to interact with the ITF Board of Directors on the subject to put forth the case in proper perspective.
'Visa application not an issue'
Responding to the ITF expressing concern about the AITA not securing the Pakistan visa for the team, the AITA said that there was enough time for the same, as the procedure required only a "few days’’.
In fact, the ITF had warned, quoting the Davis Cup rules that, "It is the responsibility of the visiting nation to complete the requirements for visa applications and comply with any timings notified to them. Failure to do so may result in visas not being issued in sufficient time, which shall not be the responsibility of the Home Nation’’.
The AITA took exception to the remarks, and countered by saying, "we are disappointed with your comments. You need not worry about our arrangements to visit Pakistan… . We have enough time to apply for visas’’.
Security arrangements
Asking for the security reports of the ITF consultants in Pakistan, the AITA has said that it would consult its security agencies to confirm and satisfy itself of the arrangements. It has also asked for a telephonic interaction with the security agencies on August 16.
"If AITA is satisfied with the security arrangements and discussion between our respective teams, everything will be in order. In case, AITA is not satisfied, we would request the Board of Directors of ITF to give us a hearing on our views in matters relating to security for this particular Davis Cup tie’’, the letter to ITF stated.
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