The terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, killing more than 26 tourists, has left the future of the South Asian Senior Athletics Championships in limbo.

In the latest blow to the South Asian regional championships, the athletics event, scheduled to be held at Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Ranchi from May 3-5, have been postponed due to the delay in granting visas to Pakistani athletes.

As per an Indian Express report, the event is expected to be held in June. But Bhutan has already arrived in Ranchi and started training. And now, there is no clarity about the new dates of the event.

This was the second time the SAAF Senior Athletics Championships had been postponed in seven months. Originally scheduled for October 4-6 in 2024, the event was postponed only a few weeks before the event.

“Reference to the Circular dated 4 April 2025 regarding South Asian (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships scheduled to be held from 3rd to 5th May 2025 at Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. In this regard, it is informed that the South Asian (SAAF) Senior Athletics Championships 2025 have been postponed, and the new dates will be announced soon,” a letter signed by Athletics Federation of India (AFI) secretary Sandeep Mehta read.

The fourth edition of the SAAF Athletics Championships were expected to draw athletes from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives in a three-day event.

Now, Pakistan's participation in the Championships is uncertain as India has snapped all kinds of ties with its neighbour, including a travel ban on Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, with all previously issued visas now cancelled.

Pakistan had sent a list of 43 athletes, including reigning Olympic champion in javelin throw Arshad Nadeem, for the event.

Several renowned athletes, including Nadeem, fastest South Asian sprinter and Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Yupun Abeykoon of Sri Lanka, and 2022 Asian Games 400m bronze medallist Aruna Darshana of Sri Lanka, had confirmed their participation at this year's SAAF Championships.

Currently, the Indian athletes are preparing for the Asian Athletics Championships, set to be held on May 27 in Gumi, South Korea.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from IPL 2025,IPL Orange Cap, IPL Purple Cap, Most Sixes in IPL, Athletics, Sports and around the world.