NEW DELHI: The Sports Ministry has announced a new policy that will end all sports links between India and Pakistan. This is a step toward making India’s sports relationship with Pakistan official. But Indian teams will still play against Pakistani teams in international events with more than one country.
This policy makes India’s stance clearer during a time of rising tensions between the two countries, which have been tense since a four-day military conflict in April. India blames Pakistan for a terrorist strike in Kashmir that set off the bloodiest conflict in decades.
Details and Reasons for the Policy
The new policy paper, called “India’s Policy Towards International Sporting Events,” explains what the government thinks. “As far as bilateral sports events go, Indian teams will not be competing in Pakistan.” The memo says, “We will not let Pakistani teams play in India either.”
The policy also talks about tournaments that involve more than one country, both in India and outside of it. It says that India will follow the rules set by international sports organizations and the needs of its athletes. “Indian teams and players will therefore take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan.” The paper goes on to say, “Pakistani players and teams will also be able to take part in these kinds of events hosted by India.”
A sports ministry official confirmed the reason for the policy, saying, “It was important to make a policy about sports ties with Pakistan given what has happened recently.” India would not take part in any events with only two countries.
This plan shows that India wants to host big international events like the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and the Olympics in 2036. India must follow the International Olympic Charter, which says that countries can’t be kept out of sports for “racial, religious, or political reasons or for other forms of discrimination.”
This policy tells you why the Indian cricket team will play Pakistan in the T20 Asia Cup in the UAE on September 14. The Pakistan hockey squad was also invited to the Asia Cup, which will be held in Rajgir, Bihar, starting on August 29. A sports ministry official, on the other hand, said that Pakistan has decided not to go to India for the hockey tournament or the Women’s ODI World Cup. Instead, their games will be played in Colombo.
“The official answered, “It’s up to them if they don’t want to attend.” “We made our decision based on the international Olympic Charter, and we will do the same in the future.”
The policy also says that for multilateral events held in Pakistan, India will put the “safety and security of athletes” first before sending a team.
India’s plans to host events and a new sports law
The new strategy paper also talks about India’s ambition of becoming the “preferred destination for hosting international sporting events.” To make this easier, the government aims to make it easier for overseas athletes and officials to get visas. International federation officeholders will be given precedence for multi-entry visas that are good for up to five years.
In a related move, the government is working to pass the National Sports Governance Act, which will set up a new system for sports federations. This Monday, Parliament passed a law that will create a National Sports Election Panel to monitor federation elections. The new regulation would also limit the number of executive body members to 15 and require that athletes, including four women, be on the board.
A government official said that the government wants to let people know about the Act and set up the required committees as quickly as possible so that the new rules can be used in the next elections, including the ones for the BCCI.