BCCI Breaks Silence On Facing Pakistan At Asia Cup Despite Outrage: “India Is Not Playing With…”
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia cited the recently released policy in response to the ongoing criticism surrounding India’s match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup in Dubai on September 14. He said that the central government has not prohibited participation in international tournaments against any country that is not friendly with India. Anger over the terror assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 tourists were slain on April 22 by terrorists supported by Pakistan, is the root cause of the wrath over India facing its bitter adversary. Fans and former cricket players have expressed their displeasure with the event; some have even called for a boycott.
Regarding Indian athletes participating against Pakistani athletes in sporting events, the national government updated its policy in August. India will continue to abstain from bilateral competitions with adversarial countries, but it would be permitted to take part in international events under the new standards.
“So far as the BCCI’s view is concerned, we have to follow whatever the central government formalises. Recently, our policy—regarding India’s participation in any multinational or international tournament—clearly states that there are no restrictions imposed by the central government on playing against countries not on friendly terms with India. So, India has to play all matches in any multinational tournament,” Saikia told ANI exclusively.
“As the Asia Cup is a multinational tournament involving countries from the Asian continent, we have to participate. Similarly, in any ICC tournament, even if it involves a country not on good terms with India, we are required to play. As far as bilateral ties are concerned, we are not going to play against any hostile nation,” he added.
“So we are following the policy framed by the government of India, the Youth and Sports Development Department. So, the policy we are following we are totally in alignment with the policy framed by the central government. And for that, BCCI will have to do it. And we are very happy to follow the policy. And that policy is very nicely done, taking into consideration not only cricket, but also other games,” he said.
“If you think that if India boycotts any of the multinational tournaments hosted by the Asian Cricket Council or the ICC, or if you take any other sports, suppose a FIFA tournament or an AFC tournament or any other, suppose, athletic tournament involving multinational teams, and India is not playing with a particular country, then there may be sanctions against the Indian Federation,” Saikia added.
Saikia clarified his position further by outlining the potential consequences for the Athletics Federation of India and two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra should he choose not to participate in a tournament that includes his Pakistani equivalent.
That will actually go against the players of that particular event. Suppose, taking an example, suppose in athletics, India is not playing a particular tournament because we have to play with a player belonging to a hostile country. In that situation, if any sanction comes with the Indian Athletic Association, then take the example, suppose Neeraj Chopra, he won’t be able to participate in any international event. So that will be detrimental to the interests of the players,” he said.
“I am sure the government of India has taken into consideration all these factors while formulating the policy that allows India to participate, not only in cricket but also in other games, in various multinational tournaments,” Saikia concluded.
