Pro Kabaddi League 5: Pakistan players won't be allowed to participate, says sports minister Vijay Goel

New Delhi:The government on Monday made it clear that it will not allow Pakistani players to compete in the Pro Kabaddi League, slated for next month, unless the neighbouring country stops “sponsoring terrorism”. The fifth season of the league will begin on 25 June with a clash between Puneri Paltans and Telugu Titans in Pune. Reports had suggested that Pakistani players could be included in the players’ auction of the league. [caption id=“attachment_3468984” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of Vijay Goel. AFP[/caption] “They (organisers) can call them but they can’t make them play. Even if they are selected, it is government of India which will decide whether they are allowed or not. Unless Pakistan gets rid of terrorism, it is impossible to play with Pakistan,” sports minister Vijay Goel said. Pakistan’s hockey players and cricketers have also not been allowed to compete on the Indian soil for some time now. The diplomatic tension between the two countries increased after a Pakistan military court awarded the death sentence to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav last month for espionage and subversive activities. Jadhav was arrested on 3 March last year. India challenged the judgment in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ordered a stay on the execution.