Sports ministry unveils policy banning bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan, allows participation in multilateral events

STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 21 (STC): India and Pakistan won’t engage in any bilateral sporting clash but the cricket team will not be stopped from playing the multi-lateral Asia Cup next month,

The Sports Ministry on Thursday unveiled the new sports policy with regard to India’s international engagements with emphasis on Pakistan. The policy envisages that there won’t be any participation in sports events in Pakistan nor India will allow Pakistan to participate in any sports event held in India.
However, the multilateral engagements will not be affected, states the policy.
The policy is effective immediately.
“India’s approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects its overall policy in dealing with that country,” states the ministry policy.
“In so far as bilateral sports events in each other’s country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India,” it added.
As far as multilateral engagement goes, the ministry states: “We will not stop Indian cricket team from playing in Asia Cup as it is multilateral.”
“But Pakistan will not be allowed on Indian soil for bilateral competitions. But we will not stop them from multilateral events as we will abide by Olympic Charter,” he added.
Asked if Indian teams will be allowed to travel to Pakistan for any multi-lateral competitions, the source said, “In that scenario, we will examine the case before deciding anything.”

(Straight Talk Communications)