Politicising sport

India delaying visa application approval for Pakistan's team to participate in the T20 World Cup for the Blind

India continues using pettiness as its chief tool its nose at Pakistan, most recently by delaying approval for visa applications for the Pakistan blind cricket team to participate in the T20 World Cup for the Blind. Conflicting reports in Pakistani, Indian and international media say the Pakistan team’s visas had been delayed or outright denied. However, some reports claim the Indian Home Office did eventually approve visa issuance late Tuesday. Even this would be outrageous since the tournament is already under way, and Pakistan has one of the top blind teams in the world — our boys were the runners-up in the 2012 and 2017 editions of the tournament, both of which were also held in India. It is also worth noting that the Pakistan team was entering the tournaments as favourites after beating India five times over the past two years in international fixtures, including at two tournaments.

Cricket Association for the Blind in India President Mahantesh GK, who had reportedly made all efforts to convince New Delhi, was also upset by the delay, “calling it shocking” as he explained how matches would be rescheduled to accommodate the Pakistani team’s participation if they do make it to India by midweek. Interestingly, most Indian reports credited the Ministry of External Affairs for trying to get the Pakistanis’ visas approved and solely blamed the Home Ministry — led by Modi’s closest political adviser, Amit Shah — for the delay. This may well have been the real reason, since Shah is among the most virulently anti-Pakistan BJP members, often going well beyond his government’s positions and even his own personal mandate and authority. The needless politicisation of anything to do with Pakistan is only causing bitterness while exposing the Indian government.

In fact, there is also speculation that the last-minute approval only came because World Blind Cricket, the sport’s governing body, threatened to ban India from hosting international events in the future. If true, this would underscore that nobody is fooled by India’s brazen efforts to politicise sports.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2022.

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