AITA To Seek Neutral Venue For Davis Cup Tie In Pakistan!

New Delhi: Amid rising diplomatic tensions with Pakistan, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) is likely to approach the sport’s world governing body ITF, seeking a neutral venue for the Davis Cup tie scheduled to be held in Islamabad in September.

Following the revocation of Article 370 by the Central government, Pakistan on Wednesday downgraded diplomatic ties with India and asked the Indian ambassador to leave the country.

“It might affect the tie. It’s too early to say but what I intend to do is to wait for one or two days to see what turn the situation takes. Then we will ask ITF (International Tennis Federation) to look into the situation and take a call. And if required, consider a neutral venue,” AITA Secretary General Hironmoy Chatterjee told PTI.

The tie is scheduled for September 14 and 15 in the Pakistani capital and AITA had begun the process to procure visas for the players.

“If they (Pakistan) don’t issue visas, how do we go to Pakistan? And if they give visas, will they be able to give us proper security so that we feel comfortable,” the AITA official added.

Chatterjee said in the current scenario, they will also seek the government’s view.