Karachi: Pakistan will not participate in the shooting World Cup in New Delhi after a top official of the national federation confirmed on Tuesday that its marksmen had not been issued visas by the Indian High Commission.
The Pulwama terror attack, which killed 40 CRPF personnel, had cast a doubt on Pakistan shooters’ participation in the season-opening International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in the Indian capital.
“We were supposed to fly out by Wednesday morning as the championship begins from Thursday but we were not issued visas today so the visit is as good as off,” Pakistan’s National Rifle Shooting Federation (NSRF) President Razi Ahmed told PTI.
“I was a bit worried about getting the visas after the Pulwama incident and our fears have come true. It is disappointing that our shooters will not get a chance to try to qualify for the Olympic Games,” Razi said.
Razi said air tickets had been booked as well as NOCs obtained for taking the ammunition to New Delhi for the use in the championship.
He said Pakistan had applied for visas for the two shooters — G M Bashir and Khalil Ahmed — in the rapid fire category as the event in New Delhi will also serve as a qualifier for the 2020 Olympic games.
Meanwhile, National Rifle Association of India said it did not receive any confirmation on Pakistan shooters’ participation in the World Cup. (PTI)
