April 1, 2023
International Cricket In Peril
By Syed Rifaquat Ali
It seems politics has seeped in international competitive cricket as a result of which the spirit of friendliness and camaradarie amongst the cricket-playing countries is disappearing with each passing year.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in India this year from October 5 to November 19. Ten teams will participate in the World Cup, but India has refused to entertain Pakistan, one of the formidable teams and most potent challenger to arch rival India, according to press reports.
In retaliation, Pakistan, venue of Asia Cup from September 3 this year, ahead of ODI World Cup, has refused to host India, which is bad news for cricket aficionados.
A banner was displayed in Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during India-Australia Test match last month, which said 'Friendship Through Cricket'.
But the Board of Control For Cricket in India (BCCI), which is not averse to invite Pakistan for the World Cup, cows down before the government which does not want to soften its stand of not extending invitation to Pakistan cricket team.
This is against the spirit of the game. Politics should be left to politicians and sport to sportsmen.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made it mandatory that any interference in sport by the government will disqualify a country from participating in the Olympic Games which is laudable and good for the development of sport among men and women.
South Africa had followed the policy of Apartheid in the recent past which brought disrepute to sport and the Springboks suffered beyond comprehension.
The ICC too should enact a legislation likewise ICC to save cricket from political interference.
The BCCI has refused to send its cricket team to Pakistan for Asia Cup this September on flimsy ground of security threat, not knowing that just recently England, Australia and New Zealand cricket teams toured Pakistan for bilateral series which was a big success.
Indian sportsmen and sportswomen love to play in Pakistan since they get more than VIP treatment.
Ask India's top athlete P.T.Usha, now President of Indian Olympic Committee, or former Test cricketer Harbhajan Singh and they will tell you how Pakistanis love Indians. It is the politicians who spoil the broth and sportsmen suffer.
Sport is the best medium to bind countries. It is ironical that politicians are blind to this dictum and sport continues to suffer. Animosity and hatred are tools to stop the development of a nation, and the sooner the politicians of India and Pakistan realise this reality, the better it will be for the people of these two countries who are at loggerheads for seventy years.
Otherwise, history will be testimony to the shortsightedndss of the leaders of India and Pakistan.
Syed Rifaquat Ali is JoA correspondent in Sydney
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Published since July 2008 |
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