Pakistan sportspersons can participate in global events in India, but not bilateral fixtures: Centre

Pakistani sportspersons will be able to participate in multilateral events in India, but will not be allowed to take part in bilateral tournaments held in the country, stated the Union government on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said in an office memorandum: “In so far as bilateral sports events in each other’s country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India.”

However, the government said that during international and multilateral events, the country’s policy would be guided “by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons”. It was relevant to take into account “India’s emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events”, read the memorandum.

The sports ministry also said that the visa process of sportspersons, team officials, technical personnel, and office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies will be simplified. Officials from internal sports governing bodies will be given multi-entry visas for the duration of their official tenure, subject to a maximum period of five years.

The statement comes as India prepares to host several international sporting events in the next few years. The country is slated to host the Commonwealth...

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