ISLAMABAD: The Indian government has denied permission to its Kabaddi team to travel to Pakistan for a bilateral series scheduled from Nov. 19-23, state-run media reported this week amid political tensions between the two countries.
Political tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan have restricted cultural exchanges and bilateral sports events between the two nations.
The two neighbors have fought three wars, two of them over the Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part.
Kabaddi, a sport that originated in South Asia, is popular in both countries. The game is played with two teams of 12 players, seven on court, and five in reserve. It consists of two halves of 20 minutes each during which two teams compete., alternating between defense and offense.
“Our counterparts in India have conveyed their inability to send their team to Pakistan,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) quoted Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Secretary Muhammad Sarwar Rana as saying on Thursday.
“We regret this decision as we had eagerly anticipated hosting them here.”
The Indian team was scheduled to play against Pakistan on Nov. 19 in Katarpur, Nov. 21 in Lahore and Nov. 23 in Bahawalpur, APP said. It added that the PKF was trying to arrange alternative exhibition matches due to the cancelation.
The development takes place a few days after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it had been informed by the ICC that the Indian government had denied its cricket team permission to travel to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy tournament.
The PCB has reportedly sought clarification from the ICC on India’s refusal.
India’s national cricket team has not toured Pakistan since 2008 due to soured political relations between the two neighbors, who play each other only in global multi-team tournaments at neutral venues.
Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year but was forced to shift all of India’s matches to Sri Lanka under a “hybrid model” after India refused to send its team to Pakistan.
APP said the Indian blind cricket team was also awaiting its government’s nod to participate in the upcoming fourth edition of the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held from Nov. 23 -Dec. 3 in Pakistan’s Lahore and Multan cities.
“According to media reports, despite securing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the sports ministry, the Indian blind team has yet to receive final approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs,” it said.
India denies Kabaddi team permission to tour Pakistan amid political tensions
https://arab.news/mvwv7
India denies Kabaddi team permission to tour Pakistan amid political tensions
- India’s Kabaddi team was scheduled to play friendly matches against Pakistan on Nov. 19, 21 and 23
- Development takes place amid India’s refusal to allow cricket team to tour Pakistan for Champions Trophy
Pakistani javelin star Arshad Nadeem bags ‘Global Breakthrough Athlete Award’ in UAE
- Arshad Nadeem made history last year after winning Pakistan’s first gold medal in javelin at the Paris Olympics 2024
- Two-day World Sports Summit is being held in Dubai with over 1,500 sports leaders, athletes, policymakers attending
SLAMABAD: Pakistan’s javelin star and Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem won the Global Breakthrough Athlete award at the World Sports Summit in the UAE on Monday.
The two-day World Sports Summit is being held in Dubai from Dec. 29-30. The global event features over 1,500 sports leaders, policymakers and athletes who will partake in discussions related to the future of the industry under the theme “Uniting the World Through Sport,” the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said.
News channels aired footage of Nadeem receiving the award in Dubai. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah celebrated the achievement, referring to Nadeem as the nation’s “pride.”
“An honor for Pakistan,” Tarar wrote on social media platform X. “Arshad Nadeem is our pride.”
Nadeem won Pakistan’s first gold medal in javelin in August 2024 when he won the men’s javelin competition with a record-breaking 92.97-meter throw, triggering celebrations across the country.
Nadeem has also won medals at other international competitions, such as the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. In November, Nadeem won the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 in Saudi Arabia, recording a throw of 83.05 meters from six attempts in a seven-man field.
