India not invited for Tour de Pakistan cycling tournament

Lahore, Jan.27 (ANI): India will not be taking part in the 15th edition of the Tour de Pakistan cycle race, as the Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF) has not invited it to participate in the event, which would be held in March.

Addressing a press conference here, PCF president Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor said India was invited for the event, but the PCF did not received any positive response from it.

Shakoor said invitations were sent to various countries, including Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who have confirmed their participation in the cycling event having 10,000 dollar prize money, The Daily Times reports.

The race would start from Peshawar and end at Karachi. The cyclists will cover a total distance of 1655kms in 11 stages, which would be held from March 1 to 13.

The 'snub' is being seen as a retaliatory measure against the non-selection of Pakistani cricketers in the IPL-3 auction. (ANI)