Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has decided to boycott Pakistan International Series to be held in Islamabad later this month. According to the association, the decision came in the wake of Uri attack earlier this month, followed by rising tensions between both the countries. BAI’s President Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta confirmed the action in a press release. “The announcement comes as an act of solidarity with the decisions of the government of India in the wake of ongoing tensions between the two countries,” the statement said. “On behalf of the council members of BAI and the entire badminton fraternity, we express strong concerns and support towards the sentiments of our fellow citizens of India,” the statement added. The series is scheduled to be played from October 18 to October 21. Earlier, Indian organisers decided against inviting Pakistan’s kabaddi team to participate in the Kabaddi World Cup this month, which is going to be held in Gujarat. Similarly, Indian cricket board’s chief Anurag Thakur also requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to not put India and Pakistan in the same group for the upcoming ICC events.