In yet another diplomatic twist, Indian authorities have denied permission to India’s kabaddi team from traveling to Pakistan, just weeks after refusing to allow the national cricket team to play in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy set for Pakistan in 2025.
Sources told a private news channel on Thursday that the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation has now been informed of the decision, effectively scrapping the kabaddi matches scheduled for Kartarpur, Lahore, and Bahawalpur next week.
This latest development adds fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Champions Trophy.
The ICC recently notified the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that India would not be sending their cricket team for the high-stakes tournament, casting uncertainty over the event. Pakistan has maintained a firm stance, outright rejecting a hybrid model that would have allowed India to play at neutral venues like the UAE.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the ICC, which is banking on revenue of over $3.2 billion from broadcasting rights for the 2024-2027 cycle, with an additional $1 billion expected from sponsorships.
This revenue model heavily depends on the global appeal of India-Pakistan showdowns, known for drawing record-breaking viewership. The last clash at the 2023 World Cup, held in India, drew a staggering 173 million viewers on Indian television alone, with digital platforms reaching 225 million.
Now, with both cricket and kabaddi teams from India barred from visiting Pakistan, the question lingers: How will this intensifying sports standoff shape the future of bilateral relations—and the global stage—moving forward?
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