Not cricket: Pakistani athletes allowed in India for various sports | Olympic news

The Indian government allows Pakistani athletes to visit but bans sports in dual sports like cricket.

Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in international events hosted by India, but international events will remain off the table, India’s sports ministry said on Wednesday.

India also said that the visa process for players and officials will be simplified while the staff of international sports governing bodies will be given multi-entry visas.

“When it comes to international and international events, whether in India or abroad, we are guided by the conduct of international sports organizations and the interest of our players,” the ministry said in a memorandum.

“It is also worth considering the emergence of India as a reliable international sports venue.”

India is expected to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, and has also bid for the 2036 Olympics and the 2038 Asian Games in Ahmedabad.

India and Pakistan engaged in a military conflict that came close to all-out war last year.

There has been a long-standing freeze between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who have not played a single game since 2012-13 and now meet mostly in neutral venues.

While India were co-hosts of the T20 ⁠Cricket World Cup earlier this year, Pakistan played all their matches in Sri Lanka – including the group stage against India.

“As far as the matches between the two countries are concerned, Indian teams will not participate in matches in Pakistan. Also, we will not allow Pakistani teams to play in India,” the ministry added.