PSB Bars Federations from Confirming India Tours Without Clearance

Pakistani athletes will likely not be participating in any events staged in India after the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) formally directed all national sports federations to refrain from committing to any sporting event in the neighbouring country without first seeking clearance from the board.

The directive, issued through an official circular on July 25, follows security concerns that were discussed during the PSB Board’s 34th meeting, held on July 23.

“In view of the prevailing security concerns,” the circular reads, “the PSB Board has decided that no National Sports Federation (NSF) shall commit to participate in any sporting event in India without prior consultation with the Pakistan Sports Board.”

The circular, signed by an Assistant Director, urges all federations to comply with the directive “in stricto senso,” leaving little room for interpretation.

Several sporting events are scheduled in India this year where Pakistan is eligible to appear, including the Hockey Asia Cup. While the federal government hadn’t made any concrete decisions on Pakistan’s participation, this directive all but confirms Pakistani athletes will not be travelling to India unless relations improve drastically.

While the PSB did not specify any particular incident or threat that led to the move, the directive comes at a time of heightened political and diplomatic sensitivity between the two neighbours.

It’s not the first time Pakistan has exercised caution over its athletes’ participation in events hosted by India. In previous years, strained bilateral relations have disrupted bilateral series, participation in multilateral events, and visa approvals across a range of sports, including cricket, hockey, wrestling, and squash.

The directive does not imply a blanket ban, but serves as a formal reminder that any future participation in Indian-hosted events must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis with the appropriate oversight and risk assessment by the national sports governing body.

As of now, the ball lies with individual federations to ensure compliance, as failure to consult the PSB ahead of such commitments could lead to administrative consequences.