An Indian Tennis team will travel to Pakistan for the first time in 55 years to participate in the Davis Cup, All India Tennis Association (AITA) Secretary-General Hironmoy Chatterjee confirmed to news agency ANI on Sunday. Calling the competition as “World Cup of Tennis,” Mr Chatterjee informed that the Indian team will have to go and participates since it is “not any bilateral series but a world event.” Great Opportunity for Our Players to Build Relationships in Pakistan: Somdev Devvarman on Davis Cup.

Yes, we will go. It is not a bilateral series, it’s a World Cup of Tennis so we have to go. There was no communication with the government as it’s a world event, we have to abide by the IOC charter, the AITA Secretary informed.

Team India Will Travel to Pakistan

The team of six players, support staff and coach will be going to Pakistan. I will also go along with the team. We will be putting in the visa application for everyone. Pakistan hockey team travelled to India for the World Cup and now we are also going,” he added.

The draw for the Davis Cup was out in February earlier this year but following the Pulwama attack on February 14, India’s chances of taking part in the competition, which this year will be held at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad on September 14-15, looked bleak especially with the growing tensions between both the nations.

But following an inspection of the event venue in Islamabad by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the Indian Tennis body announced its decision to allow the team to travel.

“The ITF had sent representatives to Islamabad on the 22nd of this month. Once they cleared it, we sent our details to the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) so that they could issue the invitation letter. That letter has come, so we have started the visa application process. It takes about four to five weeks to complete the visa process,” Chatterjee was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

The last time an Indian Team visited Pakistan for any tour was in 2007 when the Indian cricket team toured. But no Indian team have since then travelled across to the neighbouring country. The last time India played Pakistan in the Davis Cup was at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, 2006. India registered a 3-2 victory to take a 6-0 lead over Pakistan in head to head record.

AITA is, however, yet to announce the final squad that will travel to Pakistan for the Davis Cup tie. The team will be officially announced later and it will be based on rankings,” Chatterjee was quoted. The victorious team between India and Pakistan will earn a place in the World Group Playoffs, expected to take place next year.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 28, 2019 10:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).