Davis Cup tie against Pakistan most likely to take place in November, states AITA
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The AITA has stated that the date for the controversial Davis Cup tie against rivals Pakistan has been set for early November and early December in Islamabad, subject to a security check. The fixture was previously scheduled for September but had to be postponed due to security concerns.
The All India Tennis Association has declared that the Davis Cup fixture against neighbours and arch-rivals Pakistan will now be held in the last days of November and may extend to December. A security check will be conducted before the event on the fourth of November to decide whether Islamabad will continue to serve as the venue or whether the match will be played in neutral surroundings.
“The India vs Pakistan Davis Cup tie will take place at Islamabad either on 29 and 30th November or 30th November/1st December. However, the security situation will be reviewed on 4th November whether the tie can be held in Islamabad or to be shifted to a neutral venue,” the AITA was quoted saying on Friday by Indian Express.
The tie was initially supposed to take place on the 14th and 15th of September. However, the Indian federation had presented multiple pleas to the international body to either postpone the fixture or change the venue considering the ascension in political tensions between the two. The International Tennis Federation had accepted the request on August 22 after a security check was carried out.
“Following an in-depth security review of the current situation in Pakistan by independent expert security advisors, the Davis Cup Committee has taken the decision to postpone the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie between Pakistan and India in Islamabad, due to be played on 14-15 September,” the ITF had said.
“The Committee concluded that this is an exceptional circumstance while the first priority of the ITF is the safety and security of athletes, officials and spectators. The tie has been rescheduled for November, with the exact dates to be confirmed by the Committee no later than 9 September,” it added.
Pakistan has of late been cutting off diplomatic ties with India after the abrogation of Article 370 that led to the revocation of special status that had been given to Jammu and Kashmir shortly after independence. The ITF has pledged to ensure the fixture goes ahead smoothly and without any threats to safety.
“ will continue to monitor the situation in Pakistan and the Davis Cup Committee will re-convene to re-examine the security situation in advance of the tie,” it concluded.
