Sports Minister Vijay Goel responding to India’s denial of visas to the Pakistani players, said that until Pakistan stops supporting cross border terrorism there cannot be any bilateral sporting ties between the two countries.
“Terrorism and sports can’t go along and Pakistan should understand that. The relation between India and Pakistan can be cordial only after Pakistan stops sponsoring cross-border terrorism,” Goel said.
On Tuesday, Pakistan Wrestling Federation had claimed that its national team was denied visa by the Indian High Commission for the upcoming Asian Championship scheduled to be held in New Delhi from May 10-14.
“Our wrestlers Muhammad Inam Butt and Muhammad Bilal were selected to represent the country in the regional event and we had applied for visas some 45-days back,” Muhammad Arshad, the PWF secretary said on Tuesday.
Goel while slamming Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism said, “India take these things very seriously. We are not at loss, our decision to stop bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan will force Pakistani people to put pressure on their government to act against terrorism.”
“The entire world knows Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism,” he added.
Talking about the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, to be held in the country later this year, Goel said he is personally keeping a check for the preparations of the mega-event.
“After my people gave me report that things are not going well with regard to preparation (of FIFA World Cup) I myself decided to visit different venues. I met the Sports Minister and Chief Minister of Kerala recently. I will visit Kolkata on May 5,” he said.
