Pakistan athletes given visas to take part in Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar
A six-member Pakistan team will take part in the Asian Athletics Championships to be held in Bhubaneswar from July 6-9 as the Indian government has given visa to them, a development which was welcomed by the Athletics Federation of India. AFI Secretary CK Valson said that Pakistani athletes have got their visas and they are expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar in the next two-three days.
“I can confirm that the Pakistani athletes have got the visas. It was a relief for us, we wanted them to take part in the championships,” said Valson. The participation of the Pakistanis in the Asian Championships had remained in doubt as their visas were delayed and AFI President Adille Sumariwalla could not last week confirm whether they would take part or not.
Due to the worsening relation between the two neighbouring countries, Pakistan could not take part in the Asian Wrestling Championships here and Asian Snooker Championships in Chennai in May as their players were not given visas.
Last December, the Pakistan hockey team was not granted visas for the FIH Junior World Cup in Lucknow. India has also refused to play bilateral cricket with Pakistan and the country’s sports minister has even gone on record that …read more
