In the backdrop of an improvement in sporting relations between India and Pakistan, a seven-member junior tennis team from India will 'walk across' the Wagah Border for a Grade 5 ITF event next week.
Four boys and three girls were cleared to play in the ITF tournament after receiving their visas from the Pakistani Embassy on Saturday, despite the weekend holiday.
The players also were issued special clearance by the Ministry of External Affairs to walk across the Wagah Border, since bus tickets are not available for the next 30 days.
The team, which will play two tournaments in Islamabad, will leave for Amritsar on Sunday and, after a half hour's walk, will cross the border from where they will travel by road to Islamabad.
"It was a highly commendable gesture by the Pakistani Embassy to open its office today especially for us," said Sunil Yajaman, Development Officer of the All India Tennis Association.
"The External Affairs Ministry was also of great help. Without their help, the players would not have been able to participate in the event [which starts on Monday]," he added.
The team:
Boys: Rupesh Roy, Sumik Prakash Gupta, Vivek Shokeen and Kaushik Das.
Girls: G K Swetha, Poojashree and Daksha Muley.
Coach: Birbal Vadhera.
