In the first retaliatory action impacting a sporting event in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam last week, the Indian men's team has pulled out of next month’s Central Asian Volleyball Championship in Islamabad, the Pakistan Volleyball Federation informed.
The team will not be travelling to Islamabad as the Indian government has revoked their permission to travel, the Pakistan Volleyball Federation was informed of this decision on Sunday.
This is a significant blow to the regional sports diplomacy which could have taken place in the championship scheduled to kick off on May 28 in Islamabad.
The withdrawal follows the Indian government’s last-minute revocation of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) earlier granted to the team -- a move that underscores the rapidly escalating geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. The PVF regrets the withdrawal, he added.
The Indian federation has informed us that their government has cancelled the previously issued NOC. As a result, the Indian team will no longer be able to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
Teams from Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have already confirmed their participation. Sri Lanka is also expected to announce its entry in the coming days.
In a promising development, the Russian volleyball team has confirmed its visit to Pakistan in June for a series of international matches.
Pakistan and India have scarcely toured each other for sports competitions, which were affected in the wake of the 2008 terror attacks on Mumbai.
New Delhi blamed the attacks on militants based in Pakistan. Cricket has been the worst affected with no bilateral full series since 2007. Pakistan did send its team to play limited over series in 2012 but it could not resume the ties.
Tours of other low-profile sports like Kabbadi, Polo, and tennis continued but this is the first time India has pulled out of a volleyball event.
Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup hockey event in India in August is uncertain because of the escalating political tension after terrorists killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam.
Pakistan has already refused to send its women's cricket team to India for the ODI World Cup in October and instead wants it to play at a yet-to-be-decided neutral venue.
India also did not allow its men’s cricket team to travel for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The team played its matches in Dubai and won the tournament.
