The Asian Confederation of Billiard Sports (ACBS) has cancelled the Indian leg of the Asian Tour 10 Reds Snooker Tournament due to concerns over the possible refusal of visas to Pakistan and Pakistan-origin participants in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack. The 10 Reds Asian Tour Tournament, scheduled to be held in Bangalore next month, was cancelled after organisers said they could not guarantee Pakistan competitors would be allowed into the country. Last week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had instructed all sporting federations to “neither award nor hold” sports events in India until they receive written assurances from the government that participants from all nations will be guaranteed entry. The condition was imposed after a three-member Pakistani team was denied visas to compete in the shooting World Cup, which started in Delhi on Saturday. Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have risen following a February 14 suicide attack in Kashmir in which 40 Indian paramilitary soldiers were killed. Pakistan has denied involvement. “It might be moved out, it has already been postponed,” a senior Asian Confederation of Billiards Sport (ACBS) official said of the tour event, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The participation of every member nation is paramount and is the responsibility of the host country.” After legs in Qatar and China, the Bangalore tournament was to be the third on the Asian tour. Pakistan Billiard and Snooker Association (PBSA) president Munawar Shaikh on Monday confirmed that the regional body had scrapped the Indian leg of the tour. He added that the local federation had lodged a protest with the ACBS over the conduct of the Indian government. Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) secretary S Subramaniam said six of the 24 proposed competitors were of Pakistani origin. “Since their visas will be an issue, we informed the Asian body and they postponed the event. They are looking for venues elsewhere,” he said. Published in Daily Times, February 26th 2019.