Rejecting India’s appeal against the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Davis Cup Committee’s (DCC) decision, the Chair of the Independent Tribunal said the Davis Cup tie between Pakistan and India will be held in Pakistan, VOS reported on Saturday.
The 15-member DCC earlier accepted the Pakistan Tennis Federation’s (PTF) arguments, making it clear that Pakistan has every right to host the tie to be held in the first week of February in Islamabad.
On appeal of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) against the decision, an independent tribunal was formed. The tribunal upheld the ITF decision saying since there was no solid reason for not playing the match in Pakistan, hence, the Pakistan-India Davis Cup tie will be held on February 4, 2024, in Islamabad.
Judge David Casserly (Sports Resolution UK) rejected AITA’s appeal against the committee’s decision to allot the tie to Pakistan.
After going through all the relevant documents submitted by both parties — ITF Committee/Pakistan Tennis Federation and AITA, the Tribunal upheld the decision maintaining that all the reasons quoted by the AITA (such as raising Pakistan’s general elections and law and order issues) seeking a neutral venue held no worth.
“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.
It is the first time that Pakistan has defeated India’s point of view on an international forum twice in a couple of months. It was the DCC that rejected India’s concern, allotting the tie to Pakistan and then came the turn of the Chair of Independent Tribunal which upheld the DCC/PTF stance, rejecting AITA concerns altogether.
The tribunal also took feedback from the security consultant before reaching the decision. It directed the Indian federation to send its team for the tie, failing which the tie will be awarded to Pakistan.
“There is no such situation in Pakistan where an Indian team cannot travel and participate in the Davis Cup tie. Pakistan has hosted some important Davis Cup ties just recently in a successful manner so there is no solid grounds as to why Pakistan cannot host the tie against India in a befitting manner. Maintaining law and order is the sole responsibility of the host nation. Indian team should rest assured that required security measures will be in order for their travel and participation,” the committee opined.
