New Delhi: Former tennis player Vijay Amritraj has urged Australia to set aside its security apprehensions about playing its Davis Cup tie in Chennai, saying India is a safe sporting venue.

Amritraj said the Aussies should play the all-important Asia/Oceania Zone (Group I) tie as scheduled.

India and Australia are slated to lock horns in Chennai from May 8 to 10 to decide which country progresses to the playoffs for a spot in the elite World Group.

But following last month s terror attacks on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore and the shifting of the Indian Premier League to South Africa due to security concerns, Tennis Australia is unwilling to travel to India and has requested the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to shift the tie out of Chennai.

"Honestly, I do not think there is any security issue. As far as India is concerned, anyone from anywhere in the world should not have any hesitancy about coming here either as a visitor or for participating in a sports event," Amritraj told PTI in an interview.

The US-based Amritraj said he was optimistic about Australia coming to India for the important tie.

Also Read
* Fate of Pakistan Davis Cup tie to be decided later this month
* Pak's Davis Cup tie could be moved from Lahore