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The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has rejected All India Tennis Association (AITA)’s appeal to travel to Pakistan to play in the Davis Cup. The Indian team had risen concerns on their travel to Pakistan for World Group 1 Playoff tie in the tournament, citing security reasons.
The development was confirmed on Saturday, 23 December by the AITA secretary General Anil Dhupar. “I have got a message that AITA’s appeal has been rejected by the ITA Tribunal. We will approach Sports Ministry on Monday and seek guidance if we will send a team,” Anil Dhupar said as quoted by PTI.
However, AITA recently announced a five-member quad for the World Cup 1 play-off tie. The body had earlier made it clear that if ITF tribunal rejects its appeal, it will send the Davis Cup team to Pakistan. With the ITF tribunal’s rejection, Indian tennis team will make their first visit to Pakistan in 60 years.
Earlier, the AITA’s request for a neutral venue was rejected by 15-member Davis Cup Committee (DCC). “The DCC’s decision to hold the tie in Pakistan has solid grounds and it is pertinent on all the nations to visit the venue (country) selected by the DCC for the Davis Cup ties,” the Tribunal said.
India’s squad for Davis Cup World Cup 1 Playoffs:
Ramkumar Ramanathan, N Sriram Balajai, Yuki Bhambri, Niki Poonacha, Saketh Myneni, Digvijay Pratap Singh (reserve).
