AITA on sticky wicket ahead of talks with ITF security consultants

India's tennis federation will look to convince world body ITF into changing venue of ir Davis Cup tie against Pakistan in Islamab with team captain Mahesh Bhupathi likely to play a key role in teleconsultation on Monday.

tie has become a matter of speculation ever since Pakistan downgred diplomatic ties with India citing revocation of special status for Jammu and Kashmir.

India h named a full-strength team for September 14-15 tie in Islamab. 

But after Jammu and Kashmir were turned into a union territory, Pakistan asked Indian ambassor to leave ir country, halted a goodwill train service and tried to kick up an international row by continuously issuing aggressive statements against India. 

Despite escalating tension, India's Sports Ministry me it clear that it won't interfere since it is t a bilateral series. 

All India Tennis Association (AITA) neless has a tough job at hand to convince ITF to provide a neutral venue since World Governing body still feels that current circumstances do t demand a change in venue.

"Safety and security are ITF's highest priority. We are working closely with host nation and independent expert security visors, and ITF is satisfied with ir current security assessment of site and security plan in place," ITF said in a statement to PTI. 

" overall security risk rating for Pakistan has t changed, but we will continue to monitor situation closely with our visors," ded statement.

ITF though has agreed to dress AITA's concern and will ensure that its security consultants speak with m. Bhupathi will also be part of tele-conference, scheduled for Monday.  

According to Davis Cup rules and regulations a tie can be moved out of a Nation only in a few circumstances.

"A Nation with Choice of Ground may lose its choice at any time if Davis Cup Committee considers that it is t possible or practicable for opposing Nation to reach or play at venue chosen for Tie, due to (for example) an incident such as war, political unrest, terrorism or natural disaster," res rule 30.2.5.

In this case, India is t at war with Pakistan even though diplomatic tensions have been high owing to Pakistan's aggressive stance.

security apprehensions remain and players are jittery about traveling to Pakistan.

RE: India Vs Pakistan In Davis Cup: ITF Snubs AITA, Refuses To Postpone Or Shift Venue Out Of Islamab

However, withdrawing from tie will affect AITA as well as Indian Davis Cup team.

Forfeiting tie would mean that Indian team will be automatically relegated to Asia/Oceania Group II. It means India won't reach World Group Qualifiers before 2022, getting pegged back by at least two years.

It will have to compete in Group II in 2020 to earn promotion back to Group I and again spend 2021 in Group I to be able to compete in Qualifiers in 2022.

Whereas, if Indian team travels to Pakistan next month and beat hosts, it will be eligible to compete in Qualifiers in 2020.

"We are t interested in forfeiting tie. We look forward to working with ITF to find a solution that guarantees safety of all players," Bhupathi told PTI.

For AITA, it's about financial losses as well.

According to rule 62.1.2, a defaulting nation, "will be liable for all reasonable expenses incurred by ITF, or Final Week Organiser and or Nation(s) participating in Tie/Event up to date when tice of default was received by ITF.

Rule 62.1.3 states, it may, on application by ITF, be subject to a fine imposed by ITF Internal judication Panel.  

So, it is t going to be an easy call to make if ITF Consultants persist that Indian team must travel to Pakistan.

AITA Life President Anil Khanna is ITF Vice President and also on ITF Board of Directors.

However, an AITA Executive member felt that Khanna is t in a position to help India's case here. 

"re are people from different nations on ITF Board and if everyone starts bringing ir respective nations' issues, Board won't be able to entertain all requests," member, who did t wish to be named, said.

re is ar school of thought according to which Khanna would t want to antagonise Pakistan since ITF President elections are approaching.

RE: Davis Cup 2019: Mahesh Bhupathi Raises Security Concern Over Clash In Pakistan, AITA Says Sports Ministry Hasn't Objected