Pakistan and India to play rugby for peace
Indian rugby team managers says he feels Pakistan is his second home.
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
LAHORE:
Though the sport has very little following in the cricket-mad nations of India and Pakistan, players from both the countries will be playing a match on Saturday, with officials and captains vowing to promote peace through sports.
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.
Though the sport has very little following in the cricket-mad nations of India and Pakistan, players from both the countries will be playing a match on Saturday, with officials and captains vowing to promote peace through sports.
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.