Pakistan declines invitation to Asian Fencing Championships in New Delhi

Pakistan will not send its fencing team to the Asian Senior Fencing Championships in New Delhi later this month, despite receiving an official invitation from the organisers.

India is hosting the continental event for the first time, with athletes from more than 30 countries across Asia and Oceania expected to compete at Bharat Mandapam from June 19.

According to Fencing Association of India (FAI) Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, invitations were sent to both Pakistan and Afghanistan, but neither country entered participants before the deadline.

The decision comes even though India had clarified that athletes from Pakistan would be allowed to take part in multilateral events despite the ongoing ban on bilateral sporting ties.

"We sent an invite to Pakistan, as well as Afghanistan, to participate in the championships but they chose not to send their fencers. The deadline for sending entries is long over and we are now in the process of procuring visas for the athletes and officials," Mehta said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

The championships will also feature the General Assembly of the Fencing Confederation of Asia, marking the first time the body's top leadership will meet in India.

International Fencing Federation interim president Abdelmoneim El Husseiny is also expected to attend.

While preparations are largely on track, some participating countries have faced visa-related hurdles.

More than 200 athlete and official visas were cleared later on Thursday, but issues remain for a few delegations.

"Preparations for the championship are progressing smoothly, with coordination being undertaken alongside international and national authorities to ensure world-class event management and athlete experience," Mehta said.

He added that officials from Hong Kong are struggling to secure visa appointments, while some Australian visa applications were rejected.

Authorities are working to resolve the issues before the competition begins.