New Delhi: Amid public backlash over India facing Pakistan in the Asia Cup on September 14 in Dubai, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified the board’s stance, citing the central government’s recently issued policy.
The controversy arose after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, in which 26 tourists were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, leading to calls from former cricketers and fans to boycott the match.
Saikia explained that the government’s new guidelines allow Indian athletes to participate in multinational tournaments, even if they involve countries not on friendly terms with India, while bilateral competitions with hostile nations remain restricted.
“So far as the BCCI is concerned, we follow the policy formalised by the central government,” Saikia told ANI. “For multinational tournaments like the Asia Cup, India is required to play all matches. Similarly, in ICC events, even if it involves a country not on good terms with India, participation is mandatory. Bilateral ties remain unaffected, and we will not engage in one-on-one contests with hostile nations.”
He further warned that boycotting matches could lead to sanctions from international governing bodies, affecting not just cricket but other sports as well. “If India refuses to participate in multinational tournaments, it may face sanctions from organizations like the ICC, AFC, or FIFA. This would be detrimental to Indian athletes, including top performers like Neeraj Chopra,” Saikia said.
The BCCI secretary emphasized that the board will strictly adhere to the government’s policy, which was formulated considering the welfare of athletes and India’s position in international sports.
