Tension is at its peak at this time between India and Pakistan. After the Pahalgam terror attack, India took several action against Pakistan. These include suspending Indus Water Treaty and Operation Sindoor. However, when it comes to sports, this stress collides with international standards and commitments.
The concern of some such international sports principles and India’s global sports image is also hidden behind the permission of Pakistan’s team to play in the Asia Cup hockey tournament to be held in Rajgir, Bihar next month.
In fact, from 27 August to 7 September, the Asia Cup hockey tournament will be played in Rajgir, Bihar, which will include Pakistan’s hockey team along with teams from many Asian countries. Apart from this, Pakistan will also be allowed to play in the Junior Hockey World Cup to be held in India in November-December.
However, in view of the recently ongoing ‘Operation Sindoor’ and the political tension between Indo-Pak, it was suspected whether Pakistan would get a visa or not. But now a senior source in the Sports Ministry has clarified that the Indian government is in favor of giving visas to the Pakistan team, as this matter is not of bilateral match, but of an international tournament and if India does not give a visa to Pakistan, it can cause many international pressure.
1. Order of Olympic Charter
The Olympic charter makes it clear that every person must have equal right to participation in sports, and this right should be ensured without any discrimination. This principle corresponds to internationally recognized human rights.
2. Discrimination prohibition theory
The Olympic charter clearly prohibits any kind of discrimination based on nationality. Its purpose is to ensure that the qualified players, irrespective of their countries, can participate in international competitions.
3. Political neutrality of sports
The Olympic movement is based on the principle to keep the game free from political intervention. If a country refuses to give a visa to a player for political reasons, then it is considered a violation of this neutrality theory.
4. Effect on future hosting
If a host country refuses to give visas to qualified players, it can be isolated internationally. Also, the right to host future sports events may lose.
5. India has suffered the brunt even before
– 2019: ISSF Shooting World Cup, New Delhi
After the Pulwama attack, India refused to give a visa to two Pakistan shooters and an officer to participate in the ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Cup. In response, IOC took away the status of Olympic qualifier from India. Deadly stayed the host of India to host the future. Demanded written guarantee for international sports events.
– 2018: Kosovo players refuse visa
India did not provide visas to the players of Kosovo for the World Boxing Championship. This also shocked India’s global image.
Examples of other countries
India is not the only country where there have been conflicts of sports and politics. In 2019, Malaysia refused to give visas to Israeli para swimmers. After this, the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) took away the right to host from Malaysia.
UAE did not give a visa to Israeli tennis player Shah Peer in 2009. WTA imposed a heavy fine and the next year the players’ visas were made mandatory.
These examples and principles make it clear that international sports institutions expect the host countries to provide visas to all qualified players, even if there is political tension between the two countries. Refusal to give visas only for political reasons is against the Olympic charter and global sports standards. Doing so may lead to restrictions or can take away the right to host sports events in future.
India’s global reputation and responsibility
India is today a G20 member, Olympic medalist and hosting international events. If India refuses to give visas to the players of a country for its domestic political reasons, then it is a direct attack on its international reputation. India hosted the Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2023 and is now hosting the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup. In such a situation, he will have to maintain the political neutrality of sports.
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