New Delhi: India skipped the South Asian Athletics Federation (SAAF) Cross-Country Championships held in Islamabad on Sunday, the very same day when the Indian men’s cricket team thumped rivals Pakistan in a group match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 played in Dubai.
India’s participation in the regional-level continent event was earlier confirmed by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan, which is the tournament host. Pakistan was hosting the event for the first time in 70 years. However, India didn’t turn up with any participants in the national capital of Pakistan.
“India and Bhutan decided to not attend at the last moment for some reason,” the organisers stated in a press conference.
Nevertheless, five nations participated in the event with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bangladesh making their presence count at the Fatima Jinnah Park in Islamabad. There were two races in the championships – 8km for U-20 men and 10km for senior men.
Pakistan secured two team gold trophies at the SAAF Cross-Country Championships. Pakistan bagged gold in the senior category of the 10km race, wherein Sri Lanka took the silver and Bangladesh settled for the bronze.
The hosts also showcased excellence in the junior category of the 8km race with a gold. Sri Lanka bagged the silver and Nepal took the bronze.
India’s strong stance on avoiding sporting participation in Pakistan continues
The absence of Indian athletes in the SAFF Cross-Country Championships is another instance of India’s strong verdict on not playing in Pakistan. This comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on the advisory of the Indian government, told the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian men’s team won’t travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, influencing the decision of moving all India’s fixtures in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This has been a norm ever since in the 2019 Pulwama attacks although the Indian men’s tennis team visited Islamabad last year for its Davis Cup World Group I tie against Pakistan after the International Tennis Federation (ITF) rejected India’s plea against travelling to the neighbouring nation for the contest.
India didn’t participated in the South Asian Athletics Federation (SAAF) Cross-Country Championships in Islamabad amid political tensions between India and Pakistan. This follows India’s refusal to play cricket in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
