Sports Minister rules out India's tour of Pakistan

TERROR AFTERMATH: Security personnel guard the MA Chidambaram Stadium during the India-England Test.

ibnlive.com is on mobile now. Read news, watch videos
be a Citizen Journalist. Log on to m.ibnlive.com NOW!

Related Stories

Top Headlines

Top Videos

Most Popular

• Pranab has promises to keep in Budget of hope 

• Budget and you: How policies impact your life | Secrecy Cordon around the Budget 

• Youth shot dead by cops had 26 injury marks 

• Varun fears threat to life; Maneka slams Govt 

• CNN-IBN debate: Homosexuality vs Indian morality 

• CPI-M Central Committee to act to curb Kerala infights 

• Kargil victory was certain: ex-army chief | Pay Tribute 

• British Islamic group plans coup in Pakistan: report 

• Scrap EVMs, let's go back to ballot, says Advani 

• Shiney denies he had sex with domestic help 

• Pranab has promises to keep in Budget of hope 

• Youth shot dead by cops had 26 injury marks 

• Kargil victory was certain: ex-army chief 

• Bollywood stars sizzle at the IIFA fiesta 

• IBNFocus: TDS process simplified 

• No minister contacted Madras HC judge: CJI 

• Scrap EVMs, let's go back to ballot, says Advani 

• CNN-IBN debate: Homosexuality vs Indian morality 

• Watch: Parties react to HC judgement on gays 

• Railways fail to provide basic facilities to passengers 

• Michael Jackson to be buried without his brain 

• Scrap EVMs, let's go back to ballot, says Advani 

• Shiney denies he had sex with domestic help 

• British spy chief's cover blown on Facebook 

• British Islamic group plans coup in Pakistan: report 

• Youth shot dead by cops had 26 injury marks 

• Kargil victory was certain: ex-army chief 

• Varun fears threat to life; Maneka slams Govt 

• Kambakkht Ishq is not vulgar or offensive: Akshay 

• No minister contacted Madras HC judge: CJI 

Photogallery

Find us on Facebook | Join IBNLive community

Stay ahead with G-Talk Buddy | Click now!

New Delhi: Union Sports Minister MS Gill on Friday said that the Indian cricket team should not tour Pakistan in the wake of the terror attacks in Mumbai.

"I have played cricket and am familiar with the spirit of the game. How is it possible for one team from Pakistan to come to Mumbai and indulge in mass slaughter and another team to go from here and play cricket there?" the Sports Minister bluntly said in New Delhi on Friday.

Gill said he was not in favour of the Indian team playing in Pakistan but it was up to the government to take a final decision.

The Sports Minister's strong comments came on a day when Pakistan Cricket Board's chairman Ejaz Butt is scheduled to meet International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat and the Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) officials at Chennai in a bid to salvage the series.

Indian Olympic Association President and MP Suresh Kalmadi, however, differed with Gill's views.

"Sporting ties are very necessary and should not be cut off from Pakistan. But whether to tour Pakistan at this time or not is a security issue," said Kalmadi.

Former Olympian Aslam Sher Khan, too, was of the opinion that sporting ties with Pakistan should continue.

"The Sports Minister should not make such a statement. When there are political and diplomatic contacts with Pakistan then why sporting ties should be cut with Pakistan? Touring to Pakistan should be decided on security issues," said Khan.

Meanwhile, BCCI Vice-President and MP Rajiv Shukla said the government will have to decide on the cricket tour.

"If the government feels that cricket team should not be going to Pakistan then the team will not go. The final decision rests with the Indian government. We respect the Sports Minister's statement. If he feels the condition in Pakistan is not conducive then we will not go. Seeing the present atmosphere and keeping in mind security concerns it may not be feasible to go for the tour," said Shukla.