The government of India assured the International Olympic Committee(IOC) on Tuesday that visas will be granted to participants from all countries “ without prejudice” which will, in turn, clear the path for sportspersons from Pakistan to compete in India.
The decision means that India will soon be hosting multi-sports events including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifiers in the country. This allows the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to go ahead with its bid to host even the 2032 Olympics.
After the three-member Pakistani team was refused their visa for the shooting World Cup in Delhi, India was on the verge of isolation four months ago. The IOC had suspended India’s hosting rights after this incident.
The government of India provided a written undertaking to the IOC with the assurance that “such commitment of the government stems from our world view of ‘Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam’ or ‘the World is one family’ which is also the essence behind the International Olympic movement”.
Meanwhile, BCCI has written to the Sports Ministry seeking permission to host Pakistan women’s team which had put the ball in the court of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
