Indian hockey team captain Sardar Singh was quoted by NDTV as saying that Pakistani players should be given an opportunity to participate in the Hockey Indian League (HIL).
"Pakistan have good players and they should be allowed to play in the HIL," said Sardar.
"Good players need to play in the league. But I also understand the situation and one must follow the government's stand on it."
Former Indian hockey team captain, Ajit Pal, also supported Sardar's claim and said that the political tensions should not ruin the sport.
"As a sportsman, I would say they should be allowed. But one must understand the situation," said Ajit.
As many as nine players from Pakistan were going to take part in the first HIL edition in 2013 but they were forced to leave the country even before the tournament started due to the protests.
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Two wrongs do not make a right- showing finger and keeping all Pakistani players out as a consequence. Not all of them showed fingers. As for security I think either the government of India is accepting that they cant provide security against the extremists to the visiting foreign players or they are making a lame excuse to keep the Pakistani players out to appease the extremists.
I am surprised. How can pakistani players after showing middle finger to Indian public including women and children now came and shamelessly play and get paid money from Indians? I dont think they will come.
Can't quite understand the logic of keeping pakistani players out. Is the Indian police so useless, that they can't provide enough security for 9-10 pakistani players? This Indian logic that by not allowing pakistani players, Indians are putting pressure on the pakistani govt. to stop terrorism against India is all too rubbish. Do Indians really think that this is how you put pressure on Pakistan! Must be joking! How are then Pakistani umpires, or pakistani coaches hired in the IPL? Wasn't the team from Lahore here to play the champions league? Bilateral series can be started at a convenient time, but individual players must be allowed to play in such leagues, irrespective of how shamelessly pakistani hockey players behaved themselves, the last time they were in India.