Pakistan declines invitation to Asian Senior Fencing Championship in India

Pakistan has declined an invitation to participate in the upcoming Asian Senior Fencing Championships in New Delhi, opting not to send a team to the continental event. The championship, which is scheduled to begin on June 19 at the Bharat Mandapam, will be hosted by India for the first time.

The development comes despite India saying Pakistani athletes would be welcome to compete in multilateral events. Speaking to PTI, Fencing Association of India (FAI) general secretary Rajeev Mehta confirmed that Pakistan had decided not to submit entries for the competition before the registration deadline.

“We have sent an invitation to Pakistan and also Afghanistan to participate in the championship, but they have decided not to send their fencers. The deadline for sending applications is long gone and we are now in the process of procuring visas for athletes and officials,” Mehta said.

Last month, the sports ministry reiterated that while the ban on bilateral sports encounters with Pakistan remains in place, athletes from the neighboring country will not be prevented from participating in international multinational events held in India. However, Pakistan ultimately decided against sending a contingent to the championship.

Competitors from more than 30 countries across Asia and Oceania are expected to participate in the Asian Senior Fencing Championships. The event, which will be one of the biggest fencing competitions held in India, will also see participation of nearly 100 delegates and technical officials.

The tournament will also coincide with the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA) General Assembly, marking the first time the continental body’s leadership will meet in India. International Fencing Federation (FIE) Interim President Abdelmoneim El Husseiny is also expected to attend the rally.

VISA OBSTACLES FOR PARTICIPATING NATIONS

While preparations for the championship continue as planned, organizers continue to deal with visa issues affecting several participating countries.

“Preparations for the championship are proceeding smoothly, coordination is going on with international and national bodies to ensure world-class event management and athlete experience,” Mehta said.

“However, several participating countries are currently facing visa-related issues. Delegations and officials from Hong Kong are having difficulty securing timely visa appointments due to the limited availability of appointments at the visa application center.”

“Furthermore, the Australian delegation has also encountered visa-related issues following the rejection of some visa applications and necessary coordination efforts are underway with the authorities concerned to facilitate their participation in the championship.”

Despite the challenges, organizers remain optimistic about the event’s impact. Mehta said the championship is expected to give a significant boost to fencing in India, inspire a new generation of athletes and enhance the country’s reputation as a host of major international sporting events.

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Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

04 Jun 2026 22:09 IST