Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale expressed disapproval of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) decision to cancel the India-Pakistan match. He emphasized that politics should not interfere with sports. Athawale stated that the match's location in England made the situation less sensitive than if it had been held in India. He also referenced India's past victories against Pakistan in both war and cricket, suggesting that the opposition should not politicize the event.
Athawale acknowledged the national sentiment following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. However, he differentiated between acts of terror and sporting events. He reiterated that the India-Pakistan match was scheduled to take place in England and that the context of the match was distinct from the recent security concerns.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi welcomed the WCL's decision to cancel the India-Pakistan match. She described it as a victory for the nation's collective sentiment in light of recent terror-related incidents. Chaturvedi expressed gratitude to those who opposed the match and supported her call for its cancellation.
The WCL confirmed the cancellation of the match and issued an apology for causing discomfort and hurting public sentiments, particularly those of Indian cricket legends. The tournament organizers explained that the match was initially proposed to create positive memories for fans, following a recent volleyball encounter between the two nations. However, they recognized that the match could have caused offense.
The cancellation followed rising opposition from the public and players, stemming from the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Several former cricketers, including Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, had already indicated their unwillingness to participate in the match against Pakistan. Sources also revealed that other players in the Indian lineup shared a similar stance.
5 Comments
Fuerza
Glad to see politicians like Athawale advocating for the spirit of sports amidst tough times!
Manolo Noriega
We need to encourage sportsmanship, even in tough times. Athawale is right; we can't let politics dictate everything!
Fuerza
The minister's comments show a complete lack of understanding of our national sentiment. What about the families affected by the terror attack?
Ongania
Athawale has a valid point. The match's location matters and it should not be a reason for conflict!
Fuerza
Athawale's comments seem tone-deaf. Supporting a cricket match when our nation is grieving shows a lack of empathy.