Dilemma for AITA amid Kashmir situation ahead of Davis Cup tie in Pakistan

A few players have raised their concerns regarding the incident which has led Mahesh Bhupathi to write a letter to AITA seeking assurances over the safety of the contingent. And this could change AITA's stance on the matter.

Hyderabad: The situation in Jammu & Kashmir has deteriorated over the last 48 hours after the state government asked tourists to leave 'immediately' after an army intelligence about 'terror threats' in the region.

Contemplating the situation, a few individuals in the tennis fraternity have urged the All India Tennis Associatrion (AITA) to reconsider India's trip to Pakistan for their Davis Cup tie. “Kashmir on edge as admin calls off Amarnath Yatra due to terror threats. Will it impact the security of the Indian Davis Cup team going to Pakistan?” asked Karti Chidambaram on Twitter.

AITA currently are insisting that the tie will go ahead as planned. “No, there will be no problems,” a senior AITA official told a leading Indian daily. The sports ministry on their part claimed that they do not interfere in federation's autonomy. “We do not interfere in federation autonomy. Neither permission is required nor do we prohibit or assist.”

Bhupathi wrote a letter to AITA seeking assurances over the safety of Indian team

However, a few players have raised their concerns regarding the incident which has led Mahesh Bhupathi to write a letter to AITA seeking assurances over the safety of the contingent. And this could change AITA's stance on the matter.

In the meantime, AITA have started the visa process after the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) gave AITA a letter of invitation earlier this week. However, AITA have the option of forfeiting the tie altogether which they might be forced to if the final clearance from the centre government doesn't come.

If AITA opts to take this route, India could be relegated with Pakistan advancing to the next round. This is due to International Tennis Federation (ITF) expressing its satisfaction with PTF's federation. “We can confirm that ITF conducted a site visit this week (July last), as is protocol before Davis Cup ties, and is satisfied with all arrangements,” an ITF spokesperson told the above mentioned news daily.

Earlier in the year 2017, Hong Kong had refused to travel for an Asia-Oceania Group II tie after which the ITF internal Adjudication Panel (IAP) relegated them one level (Zone Group II to Zone Group III) apart from fining the Hong kong Tennis Association USD 5000.