India and Pakistan relations: sporting ties

The Nation in Islamabad reports that sporting ties between India and Pakistan may resume which could lead to broader relationships.

The three most popular sports played between India and Pakistan includes cricket, hockey, and wrestling. However, international sporting contests have been predominantly suspended in Pakistan due to security concerns and cross-country tensions. The Mumbai attacks in November 2008 were believed to be carried out by Pakistani militants, thus heightening tensions between the two nations. A gun attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in early 2009 brought an end to international matches in Pakistan.

However, the arrival of two Indian sporting teams to Pakistan in the past week – for wrestling and a blind cricket series – are said, by Nation, to be the first signs of renewed sporting ties between India and Pakistan. Organizers of cricket and hockey say talks are underway to bring mainstream Indian teams back to Pakistan for sporting competitions. The Nation reports that the cricket and hockey organizers have “high hopes” for future matches. Future talks are expected to be held in India in the next few weeks.

India’s hockey team has not visited Pakistan since 2006. A four-match tournament is being discussed and may occur as early as January or February 2012.

Improved relations follow decisions by both countries to work toward normalization of commercial trading ties. India and Pakistan have also revived a peace process this year, although dialogue has been intermittent. With increased trade, the expectations are that bilateral relations will progress. Dialogue continues over territorial disputes (Kashmir) since independence from British rule in 1947 and regional ambitions in Afghanistan.

Last week, blind cricketers from India and Pakistan resumed series competition in Pakistan – it has been five years since Indian players came to Pakistan and three years since Pakistan players were in India. They see this as “the first drop of rain” after the sporting drought. Mud wrestling resumed in Gujranwala and Lahore last week, which was the first time since Indian wrestlers were in Pakistan since 2008.

Martina Nicolls is the author of Kashmir on a Knife-Edge

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