India Denies Permission for Kabaddi Team to Tour Pakistan Amid Rising Sports Tensions
The Indian government has denied permission for its national Kabaddi team to participate in a series of friendly matches scheduled in Pakistan, according to Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Secretary Muhammad Sarwar Rana. The decision marks another setback in the two countries’ sporting relations, following India’s previous refusal to participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan early next year.
PKF Secretary Rana expressed disappointment over the cancellation, stating, “Our counterparts in India have conveyed their inability to send their team to Pakistan. We regret this decision, as we had eagerly anticipated hosting them here.” The Indian team was initially set to compete against Pakistan on November 19 at Kartarpur, with additional matches planned in Lahore on November 21 and Bahawalpur on November 23.
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In response to the cancellation, PKF is reportedly considering alternative exhibition matches to fill the void left by India’s absence. The move highlights growing difficulties in sports relations between the two nations, particularly regarding cross-border sporting events.
In addition to the Kabaddi team’s cancellation, India’s blind cricket team also faces uncertainty about its participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, set to take place in Lahore and Multan from November 23 to December 3. Despite obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from India’s sports ministry, the blind cricket team is still awaiting final approvals from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs.
