Nancy Pelosi's New Anti-Colbert Effort
Sick Puppies Walk To Hospital, Wait In Lobby
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- New Zealand has asked the International Tennis Federation to move its upcoming Davis Cup match against Pakistan to New Zealand or a neutral venue.
Pakistan and New Zealand have been drawn to meet in an Asia-Oceania Group II semifinal in Pakistan from July 9 to 11 but New Zealand has contacted the ITF to express security concerns, Tennis New Zealand operations manager Tracy Hall said Monday.
"We spoke to the ITF last December when the draw came out and they said they would not review the situation until both Pakistan and New Zealand got through the first round," Hall told the New Zealand Press Association. "As of today we have e-mailed the ITF asking about the process and what we need to do to have it reviewed."
Hall said the ITF had moved the Pakistan vs. Hong Kong first-round match to Hong Kong "because it was too dangerous" but might be less inclined to switch venues for a semifinal match.
"Player safety is a massive concern for the ITF in regards to Pakistan," Hall said. "But then again, this will be a semifinal match.
"Against Hong Kong, Pakistan probably thought they would beat them away whereas New Zealand are a different story."
Pakistan has been a virtual a "no go zone" for foreign sporting teams since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan test cricket team's bus at Lahore in March last year. Several Sri Lanka players were injured and six policemen were killed in the attack.
Pakistan subsequently lost its status as co-host for the 2011 World Cup of cricket and was forced to organize its "home" cricket series against Australia and New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
New Zealand Worries About Safety in Pakistan, Asks ITF for New Venue
Mar 9, 2010 – 12:02 PM
Rick Santorum Gets Rock Star Treatment At CPAC
White House Bending On Birth Control Rule
Ann Coulter CPAC Speech: In Support Of Romney, 'Let's Try Square For A While'
Presidential Candidates, Conservative Leaders Hit Washington
WATCH: Obama Shoots Down Reporters Over Controversial Ruling
Bioterror Death Germs Thrive In Labs, Nature, As U.S. Funding Withers
Herman Cain: 'There Really Is' An Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan
Panetta Calls For New Probe In Controversial Marines Photo
Awful Cover Letter To J.P. Morgan Laughing Stock Of Wall Street
Mitt Romney Tells CPAC He's Lived Conservatism, Not Just Talked About It
Ben Bernanke: Blame Housing For This Lousy Recovery
Sandusky Takes The Stand
Citing Politics, Some States Forego Waivers And Stay With No Child Left Behind
Siri-like App Gives Racist, Bigoted Answers, Forces Company To Make Policy Changes
The Most HIlarious #FedValentines
Gabrielle Giffords' Final Act Signed Into Law
WATCH: Conservatives Rap About America, Don Colonial-Style Wigs At CPAC
Two Bombs Hit Security Headquarters In Syria's Aleppo
Mike Huckabee CPAC Speech: 'We Are All Catholics Now'
Steve Jobs FBI File Reveals Bomb Threat, 'Tendency To Distort Reality' And More
Obama's Contraception Rule A Matter Of Life-Altering Care For Some
North Dakota Walmart Evicts Workers Living In Parking Lot
WATCH: Conservative Pundit's Nasty Attack On Maddow
