Pakistan has decided not to send a team for the Asian Senior Fencing Championships in India. The event starts on June 19, according to a senior official.
India is hosting the championships for the first time. Organisers had invited Pakistan and Afghanistan to join the continental meet.
The championships will take place at Bharat Mandapam. Fencers from more than 30 countries in Asia and Oceania will compete. Nearly 100 delegates and technical officials will supervise the competition. The organisers are now arranging visas for athletes and officials from participating teams.
Asian Senior Fencing Championships: Entries and Pakistan decision
FAI Secretary General Rajeev Mehta said Pakistan did not submit entries before the deadline. Mehta also said Afghanistan made the same choice. "We sent an invite to Pakistan,
as well as Afghanistan, to participate in the championships but they chose not to send their fencers. The deadline for sending entries is long over and we are now in the process of procuring visas for the athletes and officials,\" Mehta said.
Last month, the Sports Ministry repeated that India's ban on bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan remains. The ban was imposed last year. The ministry also said Pakistani athletes can still travel for multilateral events. Even so, Pakistan did not send the entries of its fencers.
Asian Senior Fencing Championships: FCA General Assembly in India
The General Assembly of the Fencing Confederation of Asia will be held before the championships. It is the first time the body's top leadership is meeting in India. The International Fencing Federation interim president Abdelmoneim El Husseiny is also expected to attend the General Assembly.
Asian Senior Fencing Championships: Visa issues for participating nations
Mehta said some teams faced visa-related problems during preparations. Later on Thursday, visas for more than 200 athletes and officials were cleared. Mehta added that work is continuing with national and international authorities. The aim is to manage the event smoothly and support athletes.
Mehta said delegations and officials from Hong Kong faced delays in getting visa appointments. The issue was linked to limited appointment slots at the visa application centre. The Australian delegation also faced problems after some visa applications were rejected. Mehta said coordination with authorities is under way.
Mehta said the championship is expected to support fencing in India. Mehta said it could encourage young athletes and improve India's standing as a host. The Fencing Association of India thanked supporting authorities, stakeholders, and partners. The association said cooperation is helping the event move forward.
With inputs from PTI
