One of the major for the South Asian Regional Championships is that it has been postponed following the Pahalgam Terrorist Attack which occured in April 22. The athletics event was scheduled at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Ranchi from 3 to 5.
This incident bars Pakistani athletes to and for granting visas to them as the Government Of India restricted in giving visas to Pakistani nationalities.
As per the reports by Indian Express, the event is expected to be held in June. But Bhutan has already arrived in Ranchi and started training. And now, there is no clarity about the new dates of the event.
Second Time Postponed
This was the second time the SAAF Senior Athletics Championships had been postponed in seven months. Originally scheduled for October 4-6 in 2024, the event was postponed only a few weeks before the event.
“Reference to the Circular dated 4 April 2025 regarding South Asian (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships scheduled to be held from 3rd to 5th May 2025 at Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. In this regard, it is informed that the South Asian (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships 2025 have been postponed, and the new dates will be announced soon,” a letter signed by Athletics Federation of India (AFI) secretary Sandeep Mehta read.
The 4th edition of the SAAF Athletics Championships were expected to bring athletes from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives in a three-day event.
Pakistan’s Participation In Doubts
Now, Pakistan’s participation in the Championships is uncertain as India snubs all kinds of ties with its neighbour, including a travel ban on Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme.
Pakistan had sent a list of 43 athletes which also included the reigning Olympic champion in javelin throw Arshad Nadeem.
