Kamal Ghorui
New Delhi: The Sports Ministry has maintained its policy on sporting relations with Pakistan where a blanket ban on bilateral ties persists. An exemption will continue for multi-nation events such as ICC events, Olympics, Asian Games and others.“In so far as bilateral sports events in each other’s country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India,” said an Office Memorandum issued on May 5 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
“With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons. It is also relevant to take into account India’semergence as a credible venue to host international sports events,” it continued.There is no change to the policy that was issued on August 21 last year.With Ahmedabad to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and holding ambitions of hosting the Asian Games and the Olympics, the document also makes clear the intention of making the visa process easier for relevant individuals.“To position India as a preferred destination for hosting international sporting events, the visa process for sportspersons, team officials, technical personnel, and office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies shall be simplified.”“In respect of office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies, a multi-entry visa shall be granted on priority basis for the duration of their official tenure, subject to a maximum period of five years. This shall facilitate their smooth movement into and within the country, in accordance with international norms,” said the Memorandum.The policy came into being last year after an uproar over India’s participation in Men’s Asia Cup in the UAE that also featured Pakistan, within months of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
