March 18, 2009, London – Following the attack on Sri Lanka’s cricket team, ITF officials decided to give the Philippines rights to host the Davis Cup. Pakistan was due to host the best-of-five series to be played on July 10-12, but ITF security consultants became concerned.
The attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team occurred on March 3, 2009. A gunman attacked the team as it traveled by bus in Lahore, killing six officers and injuring seven team members. This event became the most high-profile attack ever to happen to a sports team since the event at the 1972 Munich Games when 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team were killed.
Another event was also moved due to security concerns. Pakistan, which reached the semifinals of the Asia-Oceania zone’s Group II, was supposed to host the first round series after beating Oman 4-1. However, the event was moved in the Omani capital of Muscat.
ITF spokesman, Neil Robinson, told the Philippines that they now have the choice of venue. Tennis authorities in the Philippines are all for moving the venue for the Pakistan-Philippine Davis Cup. The Philippine team is proposing that the event be moved to Manila for fear of its players being attacked. Three out of the five Filipino players are dual US-Philippines citizens. Authorities are afraid that the players may be targeted for their American passports.
The attack on the Sri Lankan tennis team has pulled various scheduled events from Pakistan. This includes a junior tennis tournament that was scheduled to be played in Karachi. The Pakistan tennis federation is not changing anything yet and still has the right to appeal the ITF’s decision. However, in the end, it is the Davis Cup Committee who makes the final decision.