India waits for kick-off whistle on sports field

As India and Pakistan break the political ice, prospects of a resumption of sporting ties look brighter. Not a moment too soon, either, as t...

As India and Pakistan break the political ice, prospects of a resumption of sporting ties look brighter. Not a moment too soon, either, as there are several sporting contests waiting to be taken out of the deep freeze: cricket tours, hockey series and the twice-postponed SAF Games.

Holding a cricket series might be the most attractive way to captivate the audiences on both sides of the fence and an official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India admitted that such a plan was on the anvil. The BCCI proposes to soon put a request to the Union government to grant permission to the Indian team for a bilateral series against Pakistan at neutral venues.

A news agency report quoted Rajiv Shukla, BCCI member and Rajya Sabha MP as saying that Board president Jagmohan Dalmiya, though in favour of renewing ties, will abide by the government’s directives.

Story continues below this ad

‘‘We will soon be requesting the Prime Minister to consider a proposal regarding staging of bilateral series in a neutral venue.”

However the sports ministry clearly said that any decision in this matter will be taken after taking into account the ground realities. Sports Minister Vikram Verma said, “They (Pakistan) don’t have any control over the terrorists. So we will have to see the ground realities and their attitude and consider all the aspects.”

The annual hockey series between India and Pakistan was started way back in 1998 and benefitted both nations since they are struggling to keep pace with the European teams. The annual event gave a boost to the skilful hockey on the subcontinent and also provided chance to their youngsters to gain international exposure. The officials of the respcetive federations are now hoping that their respective governments will clear the way for mutual benefits.

Any meeting between India and Pakistan on the field has the potential to bring maximum attention on the game, which should be good for both countries. Proof of it lies in the cricket World Cup where their match was more talked about than the final. It was a similar situation in hockey at the Champions Trophy in Cologne last year.