Indians not invited for Pak cycling event

Indians were not invited for the Tour de Pakistan race in response to the humiliating treatment meted out to Pakistani cricketers at the Indian Premier League auction last month, national cycling federation said on Sunday.

"As a protest for the IPL auction we have decided not to invite Indian cyclists for our event," Pakistan Cycling Federation secretary Khawaja Idrees said in Karachi.

He said that Afghanistan, Iran, Nepal, Saudi Arabia would be competing in the gruelling race that covers 1655 kilometres in 11 stages.

"The race would start from Peshawar on March 1 and end in Karachi on March 13," Idrees said.

The official said that out of 78 cyclists competing in the race, 30 would be from foreign countries.

Foreign participation in sporting events has been sparse in Pakistan since the Lahore attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in March last year.

Last month, 18 countries, including India, took part in an international boxing competition held here in tribute to former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

But due to security reasons, the organisers had not allowed spectators into the main venue and entry was restricted by invitation only.