Pakistan hosts India's Davis Cup team for the first time in 60 years

Jakarta - Pakistan will host political archrivals India this weekend in their first Davis Cup tennis match on home soil in six decades – one of the few meetings in any sport between the two countries for many years.

The two sides meet in a Group 1 playoff match on the grass pitch of the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad, although it has not yet been decided whether spectators will be allowed due to security concerns.

When India and Pakistan were divided by violence 76 years ago, the split also created one of the greatest rivalries in sports -- mostly in cricket and hockey.

However, political differences over Kashmir mean that sports teams from each side rarely visit each other unless taking part in sanctioned multinational events.

"Hopefully this match will be an example of a bridge between Pakistan and India because I would love to see the Indian cricket team playing in our country in the near future," said host tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, quoted by AFP, Thursday.

Indian team manager Sunil Yajman said the team is looking forward to the match.

"The entire team is very happy and excited to be in Pakistan," said Yajman.

India last played a Davis Cup tie against Pakistan in 2019, winning 4-0 in neutral Kazakhstan.

Pakistan last played on Indian soil in 2006, according to India Today.

There are no team rankings in the men's tennis team event, but Qureshi expects the match to be competitive.

"Three of their players are in the top 100 in the world doubles rankings, while the singles players are also competitive – especially on grass," said Qureshi.

"We will try our best to compete and give everything on the field."

A total of two doubles and two singles matches will take place on Saturday (3/2) and Sunday (4/2), while Monday (5/2) has been designated as a reserve day in case of rain.

Officially extending the winter registration in the Egyptian Premier League

The Egyptian Football Association announced the extension of the winter registration period for the Egyptian Premier League competitions for the current season 2023-2024.

The current winter transfer market in the Egyptian League was scheduled to close on January 31, but the Egyptian Football Association decided to extend the winter registration period.

The Egyptian Football Association has set February 6th as the end date for the winter registration period for the local league competition known as the “Nile” League, instead of the end of January, in addition to the Second Division League.

The Egyptian Football Association also decided to extend the winter registration period for league clubs in the third and fourth divisions, until February 11.

The Football Association explained in its notification that the decision to extend the winter registration came due to the heavy crowding of club representatives in the last hours of registration and based on the desire of many clubs to extend the winter registration period, which is consistent with the new FIFA amendments, and so that the clubs can optimally support their teams. In the interest of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Football Association to support and support the Egyptian clubs.