India-Pakistan WCL game stands cancelled. As reported by Revsportz last night, this was always likely.
The organisers have also issued a press release explaining why they had decided to go ahead with the game. They have cited the Pakistan hockey team’s possible visit to India as one of the reasons. They have also said that they wanted some entertainment for the fans. The truth is the explanation is lame, and the match was untenable. The Hockey clearance has been given for the Asia Cup and the Junior World Cup. These are international events and are guided by international norms and regulations of the international charter.
For example, with India wanting to host the CWG in 2030 and the Olympics in 2036, it is essential that India takes the right diplomatic calls. Otherwise, Pakistan will want to thwart the Indian bid in the international domain, citing their inability to come here or that India is not allowing them to travel here. To compare the WCL with international events and world cups is plain rubbish. It is a lame attempt to masquerade a failure to see the ground reality.
Coming to the players, a number of them are now career politicians. ‘Bhajji‘, who withdrew first, is one. Yusuf Pathan, who withdrew soon after along with Irfan, is a TMC MP. Such players can’t afford to play Pakistan when things on ground continue to be heated and volatile. It was always going to be a non-starter and political tensions were always going to flare up.
At Lord’s last week, a legend said to me in the press box how do I see this game. I had informed him then itself that I see it getting cancelled and that it shouldn’t have been organised.
India-Pakistan sport can’t happen. Not when things don’t get rectified from the Pakistan end. Not when our people die and terrorists thrive. Not when Pehelgam happens. Olympics and other international events are different. But things like the WCL, which are premised on entertainment, are simply not going to work. It was foolish of the organisers to have done it and I’m glad that they have called it off.
With Pakistan, there is no entertainment. Not when innocent Indians keep dying. Let the tournament happen by all means. But without a game against Pakistan. Simple and clear.
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