NEW DELHI: Indian sports Minister Vijay Goel sent out a strong message against the proposed bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan.
This comes as the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Pakistan Cricket Board gear up to meet in Dubai to discuss the future of India-Pakistan cricket and as part of an attempt to resolve the issues between the two boards .
Speaking to the media, he said that under the current political climate, no cricketing ties can be maintained with neighboring Pakistan.
“BCCI should come out with a proposal on Pakistan only after consultations with the government. I have already made it clear that any bilateral series with Pakistan is almost impossible because there cannot be sports relations between the two countries until there is terrorism from the Pakistani side. Sports and terrorism cannot go hand in hand.”
“In terms of multi-national sports, we don’t have control on that, and they will be treated differently,” he added when asked about other sports.
Goel also spoke exclusively to India Today and said the government was against cricket and any other sports bilaterally with Pakistan unless it stops promoting terrorism.
“As far as cricket is concerned, the government is of the view India will not play any bilateral sport with Pakistan if they are promoting terrorism. Everything has a limit. If Pakistan cross that limit, sports and terrorism cannot go side by side.
“On the hand, Pakistan is promoting terrorism and instigating our youth of Jammu and Kashmir and on the other, they want to play a cricket match with us, that’s not possible,” Goel said.
Acting BCCI Secretary, Amitabh Chaudhary said a bilateral series with Pakistan is possible if the government gives the go-ahead.”We are not averse to a bilateral series with Pakistan. But everything depends on whether the government gives the clearance,” Chaudhary told a news channel.
“The series will not be possible without approval from the government,” he added.
PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan, Najam Sethi and chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmad will represent Pakistan at the meeting which will be attended by BCCI officials and a member of the CoA.
Shahryar had said he would discuss the matter once again with the Indian cricket board officials during the June 4 ICC Champions Trophy match between the two at Edgbaston, Dunya News reported.PCB has sent a notice of intent to the BCCI claiming compensation of around USD 69.4 million for India not honouring the MOU signed between the two boards in 2014 to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. Pakistan under the MOU is supposed to host four of the series.
