New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs has denied the reports of declining visas to Pakistan scrabble team members for the Asia Cup Youth Scrabble Championship (held between November 10-12) and Delhi Cup in India. The response came after Pakistani media reports claimed that most of the Pakistan scrabble players weren’t given visas without any grounds of explanation.
According to a report from Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Pakistan Scrabble Association (PSA) director Tariq Perez said half of the event team didn’t receive visas while the contingent was at Lahore. Many of the players were part of the previous edition of the continental event held in India in 2022. Pakistan are the reigning champions of the World Youth Championship and Asian Cup Youth Championship.
According to sources close to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Pakistan team was issued visas on November 7.
“We have seen media reports on denial of visas to Pakistani players for the ongoing Scrabble tournament in India,” the source said, as reported by TV9 network reporter Manish Jha.
“These reports are factually incorrect. 12 visas were issued to the Pakistani team on 07.11.2024, well in time for them to travel to India for these events. This included the defending champion of the Asia Cup and the reigning World Youth Champion,” the source further added.
Indian blind team awaits Home Ministry’s nod
The T20 World Cup for the Blind (men’s) is scheduled from November 22 to December 3 in Pakistan with Multan and Lahore to host the matches. The 17-member Indian men’s blind cricket team has received clearance from the Sports Ministry, but is awaiting the further clearance from Home and External Affairs ministries.
Once the squad gets the nod then they will depart of November 21 via Wagah Border, as per reports from news agency PTI.
The development comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told the International Cricket Council (ICC) over its reluctance to send the Indian men’s cricket team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 next month.
The Ministry of External Affairs has denied the reports of declining visas to Pakistan scrabble team members for the Asia Cup Youth Scrabble Championship (held between November 10-12) and Delhi Cup in India. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
