The Asia-Oceania Zone Group 1 Davis Cup: Should Indian Team Play In Pakistan?

Sports are an important element of education and an effective and meaningful way of engaging in a healthy interaction between not just the youth within a country but it’s a wonderful tool of engaging with different countries and their people. Sports play a huge role in socializing and creating camaraderie between youths of this big global village.
However, the same feelings no longer apply between India and Pakistan. Sports and games are played amongst friends and despite all efforts Pakistan hasn't stopped cross border terrorism that has resulted in India constantly losing her brave soldiers at the border. The ghastly Phulwama attack has left India with no other option but give Pakistan a befitting reply by striking down the terror camps in Balakot.
India has always been very tolerant constantly trying every means to make relations better but all effort have been futile so far. The general sentiment therefore has always been in favor banning all kind of sports and entertainment relationship with Pakistan.
With the scrapping of Article 370 and 35 A has only irked Pakistan even though it happens to be India's internal matter and Pakistan has severed all diplomatic ties with India. Pakistan had already banned Indian movies in Pakistan. Given such circumstances India too should stop playing with Pakistan not only bilaterally but also in events like world cups or any multilateral event.
Afghanistan has declared that they will not play with a country like Pakistan that is always actively involved in terror attacks. All ICC teams also declined playing in Pakistan as players are not safe in that country.
The Asia-Oceania Zone Group 1 Davis Cup tie is scheduled to be held on September 14 and 15 in Islamabad. However, Sports minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday expressed his view that the Indian government does not have any say on this as this is not a bilateral event. Davis Cup is organized by a world sporting body and since India is a signatory to the Olympic charter hence the government of India or the national federation does not have any say on whether India will be participating or not.
All India Tennis Association will be seeking for a neutral venue citing diplomatic tensions and security concerns however, Pakistani counterpart on Sunday had made it clear that they would oppose to the change of venue as preparations were already underway in Islamabad. No Indian Davis Cup team has travelled to Pakistan since 1964.

By: Madhuchanda Saxena
Content: https://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/government-has-no-say-on-indias-davis-cup-tie-in-pakistan-kiren-rijiju-2083929