Eye On The Bigger Prize: Why India Allowed Pakistan's Hockey Team In Asia Cup
India has previously denied entry to athletes from Kosovo and Pakistan, citing political reasons
Amidst anger over the decision to allow the Pakistan hockey team to visit India for the upcoming Asia Cup, CNN-News18 has learnt that past lessons have played a role in shaping this decision.
India has previously faced trouble with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for denying visas not just to Pakistani athletes but also to athletes from Kosovo. Therefore, keeping in mind the larger interests of sports in India, the government has decided not to bar the Pakistan team from the Asia Cup.
Any attempt to bar the Pakistan team could jeopardise India's future as a host for global sports events.
At the heart of the issue lies the Olympic Charter, which mandates non-discrimination and political neutrality in sports. The Charter explicitly states that 'every individual must have access to the practice of sport without discrimination of any kind," aligning with internationally recognised human rights. It also prohibits discrimination based on nationality, ensuring that qualified athletes can participate in competitions regardless of political tensions between nations.
India has previously denied entry to athletes from Kosovo and Pakistan, citing political reasons. In 2018, Kosovo boxers were barred from participating in the World Boxing Championships held in India. A year later, two Pakistani shooters and an official were denied visas for the ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Cup following the Pulwama terror attack. These actions prompted swift responses from international bodies.
In a letter dated February 21, 2019, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended all discussions with the Indian Olympic Association and the government regarding future hosting opportunities until clear written guarantees were provided that the Indian government would ensure the entry of all participants. The IOC also revoked the Olympic qualification status of the men's 25-meter Rapid Fire Pistol event and recommended that international federations refrain from awarding events to India until such guarantees were given.
India is not alone in facing repercussions for similar visa denials. In 2019, Malaysia was stripped of its hosting rights for the World Para Swimming Championships after refusing entry to Israeli athletes. The event was relocated to London, and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity. Similarly, in 2009, the UAE faced fines and international pressure after denying a visa to Israeli tennis player Shahar Pe'er for the Dubai Tennis Championships.
It is another matter that Russian and Belarusian athletes were not allowed to compete under their respective international flags at the 2024 Paris Games after the IOC barred both nations; their medals were also not counted in the national tally.
Given that India is eyeing the opportunity to host the 2036 Olympics and plans to organise several other global sporting tournaments in the near future, adherence to international sporting norms has been prioritised over punishing Pakistan.
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