New Zealand want Pakistan Davis Cup tie moved
New Zealand want their Davis Cup tie against Pakistan moved from the
South Asian country because of terrorism fears, a tennis official said
Monday.
New Zealand won their Asia-Oceania zone group two tie against Sri
Lanka 3-2 in Colombo at the weekend and are now due to face Pakistan in
a semi-final in Pakistan starting in July.
But security fears mean Tennis New Zealand (TNZ) wants the tie moved
to New Zealand or a neutral venue.
"We spoke to the ITF (International Tennis Federation) last December
when the draw came out and they said they would not review the situation
until both Pakistan and New Zealand got through the first round," TNZ
events and operations manager Tracy Hall said.
"As of today we have emailed the ITF asking about the process and
what we need to do to have it reviewed."
Hall was unsure whether the Pakistanis would be prepared to give up
home court advantage.
Foreign sports teams have shunned Pakistan since an attack on the Sri
Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March last year.
A cricket test series between New Zealand and Pakistan scheduled to
be played in Pakistan last year was moved to New Zealand and a one-day
series was played in the United Arab Emirates. WELLINGTON, Tuesday AFP
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