Pakistani field hockey players talk with media representatives on their return from India, in Lahore on January 16, 2013. AFP PHOTO/Arif ALI
The players said that despite excellent security arrangements, they made the decision to return because of the protests from Shiv Sena.
They further stated that they wished to return to India to play hockey in the future, if the situation allows it.
Around 100 workers of the hard-line Shiv Sena party protested on Sunday at a stadium where the Mumbai Magicians team, who have four Pakistani national team players in their squad – Muhammad Tousiq, Mahmood Rashid, Fareed Ahmed, Imran Butt – were practicing.
The nine players had traveled to India last week to take part in a new franchise-based Indian hockey league.
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@Munna: to QAS "Its a good thing Pakistan got nukes! Remember 3 wars before nuke and 0 after……" Remember you turned tail in Kargil and we don't believe in stabbing even the enemy in the back. Provide a "good" provocation and then see. Either of two things can happen. If you stand your ground, we shall see if you can or will use nukes. On the other hand, more likely than not, you will turn tail....again, either by yourself or under international condemnatory pressure. You may not like to hear this. Your nukes will ultimately be your undoing.
@QAS:
Of course but thats up the biggest in the region to decide. US are nice to their neighbours And so are England and Germany. In South Amerika Brazil are in charge. But in Asia both India&China are in constant conflicts with their neighbours.
Its a good thing Pakistan got nukes! Remember 3 wars before nuke and 0 after......
@QAS:
Yeah, but for that they need to think something different from religion............
I wish one day Asian countries have same understanding as the EU countries & USA have in their states. As they got realize way before that, they can't develop them selves until their neighbor were developed too.
Why we can't still understand this ?????
Up's and downs happen. Hope they get the limelight they deserve. We should work on getting something of our own started. No point in relying on other peoples infrastructure to further our cause.
I just hope that Pakistan in all fields starts to take care of themselves and work toward self sufficiency. For Hockey Pakistan must develop own professional league and expand sport to wider selection of players and help local economy and society. It may not pay as much as Indian league but will definitely be more than the current situation. And when we do that it will bring others as well and with time things like this will cease to happen.
Sorry Friends, probably you shouldn't have been punished for somebody else's fault. I hope, you will ignore those 100 people who protested and remember that rest of us feel happy when you guys play here in India under normal circumstances. Hope you will be invited back soon and you will have a great reception here.
On a separate note, I wish your Govt. start acknowledging if somebody commits mistake on your side. It will just build the confidence and friendship between the two countries. And hope now things when things are settling down slowly Indian media will stop showing beheaded men's families and emotional videos/discussions. May peace prevails.
Its unfortunate that innocent hockey players have to return back. Its unfortunate Congress government is not ready to stick to its commitment to normalize people to people relations.