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 a 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.
Making a long list of points to highlight the prevalent tension between the two countries, AITA pointed out that the Pakistan air space had been closed, and 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.
AITA also pointed out that a 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”, AITA highlighted in its communication.
Good atmosphere
Suggesting that good atmosphere was extremely important for Davis Cup ties, 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.”
AITA has, in fact, sought to interact with the ITF Board of Directors on the subject.
About ITF’s concern over AITA not securing Pakistan visa for the team, the AITA said that there was enough time as the procedure required only a “few days”.
ITF had warned, quoting 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.”
Taking exception
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.”
Asking for the security reports of ITF’s consultants in Pakistan, 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.
