Pakistan rugby team qualified for the ARFU Coca-Cola U-19 Rugby Championship final after beating Afghanistan 44-6 on the first day of the event held at Punjab Stadium in Lahore. PHOTO: ASIAN RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION
The final is a rare sporting event between the South Asian nuclear rivals. Strained diplomatic ties and tensions along the disputed Line of Control border have taken its toll on the sporting events between the people of the two countries.
Pakistan's cricket team did play a short limited over series in India earlier this year - their first since 2007 - but that proved to be a one-off, as heightening tensions on the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region derailed the peace process.
But Indian rugby team manager Kulvinder Singh said the final in Lahore will be the first step towards peace.
"I am happy that kids of below 19 years are starting this with the final," Singh told AFP. "I wish the oneness back between us and that we give a message of peace to New Delhi and Islamabad."
Singh said he feels Pakistan is his second home.
"I came here as a player in 1999 and now as a manager and have always felt at ease, got so much love and warmth that I feel at home," he said.
His mother came from Faisalabad and his father from Rawalpindi before the partition in 1947.
"I know there are so many derailments but I am sure Pakistan will take India as its brother and India would feel the same way," said Singh.
Indian captain Suraj Veer said he felt no problems in Lahore.
"It's a wonderful feeling to be in Lahore and the affection is memorable," said Veer, adding he hoped his team will beat Pakistan.
Pakistan captain Dawood Gill felt the same way.
"Pakistan is making progress in rugby and I am sure my team will beat India but it's all for the peace of the two nations," said Gill.
A Pakistan rugby team is also due to tour Mumbai next week to feature in the Asian Sevens, to be competed by 16 countries.
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@Califonian Desi: At least Bangladesh separated and became a separate country. What do you have to say about Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, which were broken from your own country and not made separate countries but rather acceded into Pakistan :)
@Califonian Desi: Funny thing of course is that Bangladesh was never meant to be a part of Pakistan. Check Allama Iqbal's conception of the state called Pakistan. it refers to the "northwestern regions" of the subcontinent. No Bengal. Also check the meaning of the name 'Pakistan' itself according to Chaudhry Rahmat Ali's definition coined in 1933, where P is for Punjab, A is for Afghania (Pashtun areas of the northwest), K is for Kashmir, S is for Sindh and the -tan came from BalochisTAN. Again, no Bengal. So you can go and sleep peacefully now. Kashmir, the lost part, will also become part of Pakistan.
@Someone:
Right on brother, the next rugby for peace will be played in New Delhi under the flag of Pakistan
@Someone: People living on donated life shouldn't speak such words. There is no greater humiliation in history faced by any country as Pakistan did in 1971. Moreover because until the 11th hour it told lies to it's citizens that it is winning the war. Many died of shock to learn that they actually lost it and in such a humiliating manner which is uncomparable. So........feel free to live in whatever delusion gives you sweet dreams.
Please correct its "Coca-Cola" not coce-cola in the caption of the picture.
Just yesterday there was a news on ET of a young Pakistanis national team female cricketer being "missing" since last 8 days. After that very recent news and after what happened to the Sri Lankan team, I really hope nothing happens to Indian Rugby team. Or if possible, arrange those matches inside India or in some 'neutral' spot like UAE.
@M. Emad: Pakistan and India should play 'Rugby for peace' in Azad Kashmir or Gilgit-Baltistan which India lost to Pakistan in 1947 and has never been able to get those areas back, a national humiliation for Indians. Like Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, Jammu Kashmir will also become part of Pakistan. Then one day, Pakistan and India can play 'rugby for peace' in Jammu and Kashmir, where Pakistan will be 'home' team and India will be foreign team.
Pakistan and India should play 'Rugby for peace' at Ramna Race Course field in Dacca (Dhaka - Bangladesh) where Pakistan Army surrendered in front of public to Indian (and Bangladesh) Army in 1971.