New Delhi: In the ongoing tussle between India and Pakistan for the schedule of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the athletes of other sports face the heat. In the recent reports emerging from Pakistan media, the Indian High Commission has denied visas to most of the Pakistan scrabble players for the Asia Cup Youth Scrabble Championship and Delhi Cup.
The move comes two months after the participating players from Pakistan submitted their application, as revealed by the Pakistan Scrabble Association (PSA).
According to a report by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), PSA director Tariq Perez said half of the team wasn’t granted visas without any explanation. Many of the players in the team include the ones who participated in India in 2022 and turned victorious.
“As reigning World Youth Champions and defending Asian Youth titleholders, Pakistan’s absence is a significant blow,” Perez told APP.
The Pakistan scrabble players visited Lahore with the hope that their visas would have arrived, but to their disappointment, they will had to leave empty-handed to Karachi.
The PSA expressed its dissent over Indian government’s decision and called them out for downgrading the sporting spirit in India.
India-Pakistan Champions Trophy row factor in Pakistan scrabble team’s visas decline?
The move of Pakistan scrabble team is a bit shocking but can be relatable with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) explaining to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian men’s national team won’t be travelling to its neighbouring country to play the Champions Trophy next year in the February-March window.
The Indian cricket board’s decision comes after consultation with the Indian government. This was a similar approach seen when India denied to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup last year, influencing the continental tournament to be staged in a hybrid model. However, the Pakistan cricket team visited India to play the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Earlier this year in January, the Indian men’s tennis team travelled to Islamabad for the Davis Cup World Group I fixture against Pakistan.
The Indian High Commission has reportedly denied visas to most of the Pakistan scrabble players for the Asia Cup Youth Scrabble Championship and Delhi Cup. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
