The United States has voiced its support for sports diplomacy in the context of India’s refusal to send its cricket team to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the location of the tournament.
India’s decision to boycott the event in Pakistan has led to a delay in the official announcement of the Champions Trophy schedule. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had planned to reveal the fixtures on November 11 in Lahore, but the event was called off due to the dispute surrounding the venue.
The tournament is currently set for February 19 to March 9, 2025, but Pakistan remains adamant about not adopting a hybrid model for the competition, which would involve relocating India’s matches to a neutral venue. Originally, all of India’s games were scheduled to take place in Lahore.
During a press briefing in Washington, Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, responded to a question about India’s stance on the issue. When asked whether mixing politics with sports was justified, Patel emphasized the importance of sports diplomacy in bridging divides between nations.
“Sports have long been a powerful unifying force, and the United States strongly supports sports diplomacy as a means to foster international connections and understanding,” Patel said. “We believe public diplomacy can play an important role in this area.”
However, Patel clarified that while the US advocates for sports diplomacy, it does not intend to mediate the ongoing Pakistan-India conflict. “The relationship between Pakistan and India is one that should be resolved directly between the two countries,” Patel stated, highlighting that the US has no role in the dispute.
Patel also took the opportunity to condemn the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, particularly the November 9 bombing at the Quetta railway station, which resulted in several casualties. He expressed condolences to the victims and reaffirmed the US’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, emphasizing that regional security remains a shared priority for both nations.
As the Champions Trophy controversy continues, the role of sports diplomacy remains a subject of international discussion, with many hoping that cricket can serve as a bridge between India and Pakistan. However, for now, the future of the tournament remains uncertain.
