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Tempers flared, blows were exchanged with sticks, cards shown and a slender margin of victory. It was a classic India – Pakistan encounter in the recently concluded Champions Trophy. Pakistan was the side which looked hungrier and fervent and ended up winning the semi-final against India.
However, as much I was saddened by India’s defeat, the post-victory brazen celebrations of Pakistani players aggravated that sadness. It was an act which could have been avoided. As a matter of fact, had it been done by Indian players I would have been equally distraught. Emotional outbursts and hysterical celebrations at the end of any game is understandable and especially when it is achieved against your arch-rivals.
India-Pakistan match is more than a match
The moot point is that a game between India-Pakistan is no ordinary game. It is more than a game and players must understand this reality and react accordingly. The bitterness between India and Pakistan are geographical and political. Geographically we are neighbors but have become enemies by choice. Our political or cultural differences can’t be effaced.
This animosity has seeped into other fields also including sports. Whether be it cricket or hockey, every sport which involves both nations becomes a battle which goes beyond the game and becomes a matter of pride and respect. The outcome of the game translates into the “look who is bigger and better” debate. The final verdict of the game is discussed and debated vehemently by the people of both the countries.
Then the means doesn’t matter only the end result does. It becomes a game which is more than a game. This is true not only for the players but for the fans also. It becomes personal for them. Athletes of both the nations must consider the easily influenced fans watching their every move before displaying their over-zealous reactions.
Players must learn to restrain themselves
When both the nations play against each other, emotions are already on the boil. Players want to outdo each other and for that they become tempted to go to any length. Consequently, they get blinded and agitated by the passion to get the result that after they achieve it, they show exuberant celebrations, which sometimes are dangerously close to being vulgar and distasteful. They tend to forget the fact that it is just a game.
A sport is played to encourage healthy competition and a spirit of winning and losing. The victory exhibitions by the Pakistani players were the exact opposite of that spirit. Players must understand that such reactions would just flare up deeply ingrained anger of the people from both the nations. They must avoid such burst-ups in the future and restrain themselves.
Only athletes and athletic prowess must take centre-stage; nothing else.
