SAFF Championship: Pakistan team lands in India hours before mega clash after a week of turmoil
THE PAKISTAN FOOTBALL TEAM have finally reached India, after a whole week of uncertainties and delays.
The team landed in Mumbai late night and reached Bengaluru this morning to play in the SAFF Championship 2023. Their first match in the campaign, against arch-rivals India, will take place tonight; mere hours after their arrival in the city.
The Shaheens' delayed arrival is caused by the team not having their visas ready until the evening of Monday, 19th June.
The Pakistan players and staff applied for their visas at the Indian High Commission in Port Louis, Mauritius, where they were playing a four nation tournament.
Next stop #wearepakistanfootball #dilsayfootball #shaheens pic.twitter.com/TcD08dhC9Q
— Pakistan Football Federation (@TheRealPFF) June 20, 2023
According to sources familiar with the situation, the team had delayed their application for visa due to uncertainties over whether the NOC (no objection certificate) from Pakistani government, which they needed to travel to India and represent the country, would be issued.
The team, however, did apply for the visas before the NOC was officially given. The players visited the Indian high commission for in-person visa processes on 15th of June, and the NOC was finally granted on 16th of June.
After this, the Indian High Commission, which is required to follow an elaborate process to grant visas to Pakistani citizens due to the ongoing tensions between the two countries, worked hard to get it done within days and ultimately issued the travel documents on Monday evening.
Being tired after a long journey may affect Pakistani players when they take to the field against India in front of a nearly sold out crowd at Kanteerava Stadium. But the fans who have waited nearly a decade to see the India and Pakistan men's teams play each other again, they will hope that they will put on a memorable performance despite all the unfortunate complications they have undergone in the recent days.
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