India to receive "Head of State" security in Pakistan for Davis Cup tie

Published at :January 29, 2024 at 9:17 PM

Modified at :February 14, 2024 at 1:55 PM

(Courtesy : IANS)

India visited Pakistan after 60 years

The Islamabad Sports Complex will be cleaned by a bomb disposal squad every morning, and the Indian Davis Cup team will be accompanied by two escort vehicles during their travel as part of a high-level security arrangement, which is usually given to the Head of State, to ensure the visiting tennis players’ safety and security.

The national Indian tennis team has visited Pakistan for the first time in 60 years, and naturally, the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) does not want to take any risk on the security aspect.

Mostly, the Indian players will be confined to the venue and the hotel and it could be a bit suffocating, though safe. The PTF is following the security plan that has been approved by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

“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, which has five players, two physios and two AITA officials, reached Islamabad on Sunday night.

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“Escort vans are with the team during travel time, and they enter the hotel from the VVIP entry, which is reserved for the Head of State. Bomb disposal squads sanitized the venue in the morning, and no one will be allowed to enter the venue. It will be a drill 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,” he said.

The teams of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), Islamabad Police, traffic police, and others are on the job.

“It’s an honor not just for the PTF but also for Pakistan to host the Indian team. We believe in sports diplomacy,” Rehman said.

While the Indian team is mostly relaxed, it was obvious that the players would stay vigilant.

It’s an honour not just for the PTF but also for Pakistan to host the Indian team. We believe in sports diplomacy,” Rehman said.

While the Indian team is largely relaxed, it was clear that the players would stay alert.

“It is first time here. Yes, there are a few things that play on your mind. We have just heard things about Pakistan, so an image is created. It is too early to say anything about how it is being in Pakistan. Give us two days,” said one player.

Keen to play to their strength, Pakistan chose the grass surface but the hosts won’t be able to exploit the home conditions to the optimum level since a maximum of only 500 fans will be allowed to watch the action.

The players get a different kind of energy when the home fans cheer for them and egg them on but having only 500 fans for such a tie would not create that environment.

“It’s tough. ITF, unfortunately, does not allow us to host too many guests or supporters for security reasons. This is something we have to apply. We are still pushing to, maybe, have some stands on this side of the court as well. In a day or two we will finalize,” said Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi

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