Abhishek Kaushik, President of the Amateur Soft Tennis Association UP, commented on the visa denial for Pakistan and Bangladesh teams, emphasizing that terrorism and sports cannot coexist. The impending second ISTC and South Asian Soft Tennis Championship showcase participation from 12 countries, yet only Pakistan and Bangladesh are absent. Kaushik expressed confidence in India’s performance and praised PM Modi’s dedication to enhancing sports culture.
Abhishek Kaushik, President of the Amateur Soft Tennis Association UP, commented on the Indian government’s decision to deny visas to the Pakistan and Bangladesh teams for the upcoming international soft tennis tournaments. He stated that the decision stemmed from ongoing incidents in both countries, emphasizing that terrorism and sports should not coexist. This perspective was shared prior to the second India International Soft Tennis Championship (ISTC) and the inaugural South Asian Soft Tennis Championship 2025, being held at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida from March 17 to 22, 2025.
The ISTC and South Asian Soft Tennis Championship have attracted around 150 athletes from 12 nations, including Iran, Cambodia, Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and India. However, Kaushik highlighted that Pakistan and Bangladesh were the only two teams that did not participate due to visa issues. He reiterated that the ongoing situations in these countries were not condoned and supported the Indian government’s stance.
Kaushik expressed confidence in India’s prospects for this tournament, recalling that India emerged victorious in the first ISTC. He noted, “India is the winner of the last medal in India International Soft Tennis… this time, we are confident we will win a medal,” also mentioning the upcoming World Championship in Korea.
The successful organization of these championships in Greater Noida was praised, with Kaushik reporting that players from 15 countries, such as Hungary, Chile, and Japan, attended. He remarked on the supportive infrastructure and assistance provided by local authorities.
Moreover, Kaushik commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his contributions to the sports sector, including initiatives like the Fit India movement. Modi personally meets athletes before and after events, which Kaushik believes boosts excitement and engagement within the sports community.
The denial of visas to Pakistan and Bangladesh teams for the ISTC and South Asian Soft Tennis Championship was framed by Abhishek Kaushik as necessary to uphold a stance against terrorism in sports. With a robust participation from other countries and strong organizational support, India aims to reiterate its dominance in the soft tennis arena while also highlighting the importance of safety and national integrity in sports events. Kaushik’s commendations of PM Modi reflect an endorsement of governmental support for athletics in India.
Original Source: www.tribuneindia.com
