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

Comments

2016 update on Rike Park, Tbilisi: from construction to busy park

From a flat patch of uninteresting dirt, Rike Park in Tbilisi, Georgia, has transformed in four years (from 2014-2016) into a busy park full of trees, flower beds, sculptures, fountains, and events. Rike (Rikhe) Park is on the left bank of the Mt’k’vari River (the Kura River) near the Old City of Tbilisi. The Peace Bridge links the right bank to Rike Park. Rike Park is below the hillside Presidential Palace and, via cable car, it is the starting point for the ride to Sololaki Ridge (with the Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue). The glass box-shaped cable car terminus was opened on 23 June 2012, and since then the park has continually developed into a ‘people’s park’ where people can walk around, eat at the nearby restaurants, sit next to the statue of American president Ronald Reagan, climb the steps to Avlabari district, and access the sights of Meidan Square, the Peace Bridge, the Metekhi Church, the Old City, the waterfall, the sulphur baths, and t...

Pir-E-Kamil - The Perfect Mentor by Umera Ahmed: book review

The Perfect Mentor pbuh (2011) is set in Lahore and Islamabad in Pakistan. The novel commences with Imama Mubeen in medical university. She wants to be an eye specialist. Her parents have arranged for her to marry her first cousin Asjad. Salar Sikander, her neighbour, is 18 years old with an IQ of 150+ and a photographic memory. He has long hair tied in a ponytail. He imbibes alcohol, treats women disrespectfully and is generally a “weird chap” and a rude, belligerent teenager. In the past three years he has tried to commit suicide three times. He tries again. Imama and her brother, Waseem, answer the servant’s call to help Salar. They stop the bleeding from his wrist and save his life. Imama and Asjad have been engaged for three years, because she wants to finish her studies first. Imama is really delaying her marriage to Asjad because she loves Jalal Ansar. She proposes to him and he says yes. But he knows his parents won’t agree, nor will Imama’s parents. ...

Hop on hop off bus tourism comes to Tbilisi, Georgia

City Sightseeing buses have arrived in Tbilisi. The iconic red double-decker buses, a feature of many cities around the world since the company was established in Seville, Spain in 1999, is now in six continents and almost 100 cities. The company established its Tbilisi business in November 2013, with its operations commencing in February 2014. The 90-minute tour stops at 11 major locations in Tbilisi (with 2 to 5 minute waiting times at each location): the Old City (where it commences), Freedom Square, Rose Revolution Square, Marjanishvili Square, the Dry Bridge, Konka, Avlabari, Metekhi, Akhundov Museum, the Sulfur Baths, and European Square. Passengers can hop off at any stop and see the sights, hopping back onto the next bus at any time. Alternatively, passengers can remain on the bus for the whole tour and take photographs when the bus stops at each location. There are one day (24-hour) passes (for 35 lari – about $20) and 48-hour passes for 55 lari, with family d...

FEAST OR FAMINE

Search This Blog