The Indian tennis team is impressed with Pakistan’s hospitality ahead of the Davis Cup tie between the arch-rivals in Islamabad.
The Davis Cup clash will be held on February 3 and 4.
“I can say we are all well looked after,” Anil Dhupar, secretary general of AITA, told The Indian Express over the phone from Islamabad. “Having been here 24 hours, I can say all is well. From the reception at the airport from the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) to the three-hour-long practice the players had today, the hospitality has been great.”
It must be noted that tight security arrangements, which are usually accorded to the Head of State, are put in place in order to ensure Indian squad’s safety and security.
“Since an Indian team has come to Pakistan after 60 years, we are taking extra precaution. There are four to five layers of security around the Indian team. I, as event security manager, is with them during travel,” Col Gul Rehman, who is the secretary general of PTF, told PTI.
The Indian contingent comprises of five players, two physios and two AITA officials.
“Escort vans are with the team during travel time, and they enter the hotel from the VVIP entry, which is reserved for Head of State. Bomb disposal squads sanitised the venue in the morning, and no one will be allowed to enter the venue. It will be a drill that will be followed throughout the tie,” he said.
“Islamabad is one of the safest cities in Asia. And since general elections are approaching, security is already tight. Then there is air surveillance, there are around 10,000 cameras deployed in the city. There will be no compromise on safety and security of the Indian players.
“It’s an honour not just for the PTF but also for Pakistan to host the Indian team. We believe in sports diplomacy.”
