Amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, the two sides faced off in the 10th Asian Beach Handball Championships on Friday in Muscat, Oman. India lost the pool match 0–2 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. (More Sports News)
According to a Times of India report, the Indian team wore black armbands during the league match as a gesture of solidarity. The organisers and the Asian Handball Federation (AHF) asked the Indian coaching staff to remove them, warning that non-compliance could lead to the team라이브 바카라 disqualification from the tournament.
The Indian contingent initially considered boycotting the fixture over concerns about potential public backlash back home. However, they ultimately decided to play the match after the Asian Handball Federation (AHF) warned that a boycott could lead to a ban and a hefty fine.
According to IANS, Anandeshwar Pandey, Executive Director of the Handball Federation of India (HFI), spoke out about the increasing controversy regarding the decision to proceed with the match against Pakistan.
He explained that the tournament schedule had been finalised four months in advance and that the federation had taken steps to seek official guidance before proceeding.
“We had written to the government, the Sports Ministry, and the Indian Olympic Association seeking clarity on whether we should play against Pakistan,” Pandey said. “However, we received no response from any of them.”
With no formal directive forthcoming, the HFI was left in a difficult position. Pandey added that the International Handball Federation (IHF) had warned of possible sanctions if India chose to withdraw. “In the absence of clear directives, we were compelled to proceed with the match,” he stated. “The IHF even threatened us with a ban.”
Pandey also mentioned that the Handball Federation of India had no intention of making a political statement by playing the match, but was left with little choice due to the absence of government instructions and the threat of sanctions from international bodies.
“We were not trying to defy anyone. We simply didn’t have any official directive to act on, and the risk of suspension from the sport was real,” he said. “Had we received a clear ‘no’ from the authorities, we would have acted accordingly.”
The entries for the tournament were submitted months in advance, and both the Indian men's and women's teams arrived in Muscat on May 5, said Pandey.
“We didn’t anticipate the situation escalating. The two teams may meet again in the semifinals or final. We’re waiting for guidance from the Sports Ministry and IOA. If no advisory comes in the next few days, we’ll instruct our team to forfeit the next match against Pakistan,” said Pandey.
The final of the tournament is scheduled for May 15. The competition also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Beach Handball World Championship.
The situation between India and Pakistan is escalating following Pakistan's overnight attacks across India. The Ministry of External Affairs and Defence confirmed that India responded to a series of Pakistani actions, including Friday night's drone intrusions and early Saturday morning air raids.
