ITF postpones India-Pakistan Davis Cup tie
August 22, 2019
KARACHI: The International Tennis Federation has postponed next months' Davis Cup tie between Pakistan and India to November under "exceptional circumstances" following a rise in political tensions between the two countries.
The ITF said on Thursday that the decision was taken following an in-depth security review by independent security advisors.
"Following an in-depth security review of the current situation in Pakistan by independent expert security advisors, the Davis Cup Committee has taken the decision to postpone the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie between Pakistan and India in Islamabad, due to be played on 14-15 September," the ITF statement said.
"The Committee concluded that this is an exceptional circumstance while the first priority of the ITF is the safety and security of athletes, officials and spectators," it added.
ITF said the tie has been rescheduled for November, with new dates to be confirmed by September 9.
The body would continue to monitor the situation in Pakistan and the Davis Cup Committee would re-convene to re-examine the security situation in advance of the tie.
The International Tennis Federation had earlier expressed confidence on security arrangements in Pakistan. However, the Indian Tennis authorities were insisting on not traveling to Pakistan due to present circumstances.
When contacted, an official of the Pakistan Tennis Federation expressed his ignorance on the ITF's decision.
"I am not aware of the decision. I am busy at a function," responded Col (retd) Gul Rehman, the secretary of the Pakistan Tennis Federation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's ace tennis player Aisam-ul Haq said that the decision to postpone the tie in the current circumstances was positive one.
"In present scenario, it was better to postpone the tie for some time rather than moving it out to a neutral venue," Aisam told Geo.tv.
"It would have been a loss for Pakistan if the tie was moved out, but it stays in Pakistan with a minor delay. This will allow us to prepare better," he added.
