India’s government classes Formula One as “entertainment” rather than sport, and does not believe hosting a race will help develop sport in the country, local media has reported.

Reuters reports that the Indian sports ministry rejected a request by the Indian Grand Prix promoter JPSK Sports for currency exchange concessions on the basis that it was “a commercial initiative”.

“The proposed F1 race does not satisfy conditions which focus on human endeavour for excelling in competition with others, keeping in view the whole sports movement from Olympics downwards,” the ministry told the Times of India newspaper.

JPSK managing director Samir Gaur told the newspaper that the company remained “200 per cent committed” to the Indian Grand Prix, despite the Ministry’s stance.

Source: Sport Business