Pakistan express unhappiness at not being invited for Nehru Cup

Almost two weeks left before the Nehru Cup 2012 kick-off will take place in the heart of India. In the meanwhile Pakistan football team’s assistant coach showed their disappointment for not being invited by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for this upcoming mega event. He said in one of his statement that AIFF should have invited Pakistan to take part in the Nehru Cup, as this will improve the bitter relation between these two neighboring countries.

At first it was declared that as a part of their Platinum Jubilee Celebration, AIFF will allow six teams to participate in this event. AIFF had invited many countries, including some African nations also, take part. But as the day progressed, those high profile teams withdraw their names from the tournament and AIFF had to settle with four countries – Maldives, Cameroon, Syria and Nepal, though Nepal got their ticket in the last week.

It is almost 5 years since India has played last cricket tournament against Pakistan, though BCCI had taken steps to start the cricket relation between these two countries. Regarding this, Pakistan national football team’s assistant coach Nasir Ismail told a Pakistan website that, “If India has invited Pakistan cricket team for a series at the end of this year and has also invited the national T20 champions Sialkot Stallions for the Champions League, then they should also include Pakistan football team in the Nehru Cup. This would help improve relations between the two countries”.