Aisam, Rohan plan cross-border match
LONDON: Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and India's Rohan Bopanna are aiming to play an extraordinary tennis match to promote peace between the two countries - using the famous Wagah border as the net.
The duo were knocked out of the Wimbledon's men's doubles quarter-finals here on Wednesday - their best-ever Grand Slam performance - but caused a stir by wearing jackets emblazoned with the slogan 'Stop War, Start Tennis'.
The pair will be wearing the tracksuit tops when they play at the US Open and are mulling over a new logo to decorate them with in New York.
And now they are seeking permission to face each other with the net on the Radcliffe Line that has divided the village of Wagah since 1947, with Aisam playing on the Indian side and Rohan on the Pakistani side.
"It is an idea we have had but there is a lot of time before we get to it because both countries have to approve it first and that is the process that is going on," Bopanna told AFP.
"The idea is there for him to play in India and me to play in Pakistan.
"That is the idea but it needs to be approved and until that happens nothing can be done."
Wagah is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan. Every evening, thousands gather to watch the colourful flag-lowering ceremonies there and the energetic soldiers' parade.
The border post is often seen as a symbol of the tension between the two countries. But Aisam and Rohan hope their continuing friendship, on and off the tennis court, will help encourage a more peaceful relationship between the neighbours.
"The first time I went to India I was 16 and Rohan was their top junior," Qureshi said.
"I have played with a lot of Indians before but there are no Pakistanis on the tour and India is definitely the closest to Pakistan and he has been my best friend on the tour.
"We share the same language, we share the same culture and concepts so it makes life much easier on the road.
"In the beginning we didn't realise the importance of our relationship and partnership.
"But we realised that looking at the bigger picture, if we could send a positive message to the people in Pakistan and in India then it is a really good thing.
"We have had three wars against each other. We used to be one country but we got separated - there are still a lot of diplomatic tensions but at the end of the day on either side the people are very, very friendly and loving.
"Every time I have gone to India I have been treated with respect and people really like me there.
"It has been a great experience every time I go there and the message is not to bring politics, culture and religion into sports.
"That is what we are trying to give out to the people. If we can both get along well then I am sure a lot of other Pakistanis and Indians can get along as well. If we can change a few people's minds it is a very positive thing.
"Here you could see Indian and Pakistani people sitting together supporting one team. It is a nice thing to see."
Friday, July 02, 2010
The duo were knocked out of the Wimbledon's men's doubles quarter-finals here on Wednesday - their best-ever Grand Slam performance - but caused a stir by wearing jackets emblazoned with the slogan 'Stop War, Start Tennis'.
The pair will be wearing the tracksuit tops when they play at the US Open and are mulling over a new logo to decorate them with in New York.
And now they are seeking permission to face each other with the net on the Radcliffe Line that has divided the village of Wagah since 1947, with Aisam playing on the Indian side and Rohan on the Pakistani side.
"It is an idea we have had but there is a lot of time before we get to it because both countries have to approve it first and that is the process that is going on," Bopanna told AFP.
"The idea is there for him to play in India and me to play in Pakistan.
"That is the idea but it needs to be approved and until that happens nothing can be done."
Wagah is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan. Every evening, thousands gather to watch the colourful flag-lowering ceremonies there and the energetic soldiers' parade.
The border post is often seen as a symbol of the tension between the two countries. But Aisam and Rohan hope their continuing friendship, on and off the tennis court, will help encourage a more peaceful relationship between the neighbours.
"The first time I went to India I was 16 and Rohan was their top junior," Qureshi said.
"I have played with a lot of Indians before but there are no Pakistanis on the tour and India is definitely the closest to Pakistan and he has been my best friend on the tour.
"We share the same language, we share the same culture and concepts so it makes life much easier on the road.
"In the beginning we didn't realise the importance of our relationship and partnership.
"But we realised that looking at the bigger picture, if we could send a positive message to the people in Pakistan and in India then it is a really good thing.
"We have had three wars against each other. We used to be one country but we got separated - there are still a lot of diplomatic tensions but at the end of the day on either side the people are very, very friendly and loving.
"Every time I have gone to India I have been treated with respect and people really like me there.
"It has been a great experience every time I go there and the message is not to bring politics, culture and religion into sports.
"That is what we are trying to give out to the people. If we can both get along well then I am sure a lot of other Pakistanis and Indians can get along as well. If we can change a few people's minds it is a very positive thing.
"Here you could see Indian and Pakistani people sitting together supporting one team. It is a nice thing to see."
Friday, July 02, 2010
'People-to-people contacts to change misconceptions'
By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: Pakistani youths attending a strategic discussion 'A Common Destiny' held under 'Aman Ki Asha' on Friday said people to people contact .....more
By Khalid Khattak LAHORE: Pakistani youths attending a strategic discussion 'A Common Destiny' held under 'Aman Ki Asha' on Friday said people to people contact .....more
India, Pakistan urged to join hands against US influence in region
By Moayyed Jafri
LAHORE: India and Pakistan must work together in order to keep the American influence out of South Asia, said Prem Shankar Jha, former editor o .....more
LAHORE: India and Pakistan must work together in order to keep the American influence out of South Asia, said Prem Shankar Jha, former editor o .....more
Media can help break status quo in South Asia
By our correspondent
LAHORE: The dialogue 'A Common Destiny', the first of Aman ki Asha series on strategic importance to India and Pakistan concluded in Lahore .....more
By our correspondent LAHORE: The dialogue 'A Common Destiny', the first of Aman ki Asha series on strategic importance to India and Pakistan concluded in Lahore .....more
Kashmir solution just a signature away: Kasuri
Says previous govt had completed 90 pc spadework on dispute; 'we agreed on a point between complete independence and autonomy'
By Babar Dogar & Ranjan Roy< .....more
Says previous govt had completed 90 pc spadework on dispute; 'we agreed on a point between complete independence and autonomy'By Babar Dogar & Ranjan Roy< .....more
Dialogue on A Common Destiny
LAHORE: Prominent academics, writers and analysts from India and Pakistan met here on Thursday at a closed-door seminar, titled "A Common Destiny", the first of Aman Ki A
.....more
LAHORE: Prominent academics, writers and analysts from India and Pakistan met here on Thursday at a closed-door seminar, titled "A Common Destiny", the first of Aman Ki A
.....more
Indian delegation in Lahore to pursue peace
Two ex-admirals, ex-foreign secretary, writers and media persons to share 'A Common Destiny' with Pakistanis
By Shahab Ansari
LAHORE: A seven-member .....more
Two ex-admirals, ex-foreign secretary, writers and media persons to share 'A Common Destiny' with Pakistanis By Shahab Ansari
LAHORE: A seven-member .....more
Page 159 of 174
Special Editions
more editions
The News on Sunday Special Report: India Pakistan prisoners
We probably didn't need to do this Special Report. Newspaper stories don't matter when it comes to Indians in Pakistani jails and vice versa. In fact, 'vice versa' sums it up. We do to them what they do to us.
Except when the two countries decide to begin talking, yet again! This time a little before the foreign secretary level talks, some Pakistani prisoners were released by India (and vice versa must have happened) and some more were release....read more
Blog
more
For the past 2 years the Jang Group and Geo have been working on a project of great national interest; one that we hope will help usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the country and indeed, in the region. And one that hopefully all Pakistanis can be proud of.
The Jang Group has entered into an agreement with the Times of India Group, the largest media group of India, to campaign for peace betw
Global Media
Comments