Pakistan team will not come to India. (Photo- GETTY/X)
Asian Senior Fencing Championships: A big news has come out regarding the Asian Senior Fencing Championship which is going to be organized for the first time in India. Pakistan has decided not to send its team in this tournament. A top official has also confirmed this. This historic tournament is going to be held from June 19 at Bharat Mandapam in the country’s capital New Delhi. In this Maha Kumbh, swordsmen from more than 30 countries of Asia and Oceania will showcase their talent.
Pakistan team will not come to India
Giving information in this regard to PTI, Fencing Association of India (FAI) General Secretary Rajiv Mehta said, ‘We had sent invitations to both Pakistan and Afghanistan to participate in this championship. However, he has chosen not to send his swordsmen here. The last date for sending entries has ended long ago and now we are busy in the process of obtaining visas for athletes and officials from other countries.
Interestingly, only last month the Sports Ministry had made it clear that the ban on bilateral sports relations with Pakistan will continue, but athletes from across the border will not be stopped from coming to India for multilateral events. Despite this exemption, Pakistan has not voluntarily sent its team entry.
General Assembly will be held in India for the first time
Before the start of this championship, the General Assembly meeting of Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA) will also be held in New Delhi. This is the first time that top officials of this continental body are holding such a meeting in India. International Fencing Federation (FIE) interim president Abdelmoneim El Husseini is also expected to attend this meeting. Let us tell you that to make the preparations for the championship world class, work is being done in collaboration with national and international officials. The Fencing Association of India believes that a major event of this level will promote the sport of fencing in India, inspire young athletes and further strengthen India’s position as an emerging hub for international sporting events.
