Pakistan players get Indian visa for South Asian Table Tennis Championship

NEW DELHI: The Pakistan squad has got the Indian visa to compete in the South Asian Cadet and Junior Table Tennis Championships, beginning at the Talkatora Stadium here tomorrow.

Dhanraj Choudhary, secretary general at the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), told PTI that Pakistan team has confirmed its participation alongside Sri Lanka, Nepal and Maldives.

"They (Pakistan paddlers) are on their way to Delhi from Wagah Border, they should reach by midnight. The players got the visa as all the formalities were completed in time. We look forward to their participation along with other teams. Bangladesh players are still awaiting their visa, hopefully they will be here by tomorrow," said Choudhary.

Last week saw a blame game between the sports officials of India and Pakistan after the wrestlers from across the border were denied the visa to India for the Cadet Asian Wrestling Championship that concluded here on Sunday.

Pakistan wrestling body refuted its Indian counterparts' claim that it had not submitted the visa documents on time.

The previous South Asian Cadet and Junior Table Tennis Championships took place in Islamabad, where India won a rich haul of 10 medals.

Top two teams in each category qualify for the Asian Junior Table Tennis Championships to be held in Kuala Lumpur from July 22-26.