India refused to shake hands with PAK, so what’s next if the two sides meet again?
The Sunday clash between India and PAK made two things clear: first, PAK is no match for India, as things have only worsened in terms of performances, and second, India has no intention of showing any sportsmanly spirit towards a country that has remained hostile to India for decades.
The match, anyway, was not supported by the majority of Indians who thought that India should not have played the game against PAK after the two countries got into a skirmish following the Pahalgam incident. However, BCCI and the government of India chose to play against PAK.
The question is why?
Since independence, when India became an independent nation, whereas PAK was carved out of India, it is India that has evolved into a powerful nation with a rich economy, infrastructure, a space programme, industries, a healthcare system, and so on. In short, India is a recognisable country in the world that has a place at the high table.
(Credit- TOI)
However, when it comes to sports, India isn’t a dominant one. Yes, the country has evolved in cricket, but what about other sports? Whether it is the Olympics, football, motorsports, tennis, badminton, hockey, rugby, basketball, or any other popular sport, India is ranked lower than the US, PRC, Russia, the UK, and other European countries.
India had no option but to play against PAK because, unlike bilateral series, the Asia Cup is a multinational tournament. In the world of sports, India’s next big dream is to host the Olympics. Had India boycotted against PAK in a multinational tournament, India would’ve drawn negative attention from other sporting committees of the world. In fact, there’s also a chance that various Indian sporting bodies may be banned from international events, putting the future of athletes across the nation at stake.
(Credit- The Hindu)
To establish itself as a leader in soft power, India must invest in sports beyond cricket. Not to forget, hosting events such as the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup will showcase India’s financial strength, boost its tourism industry, and make it a more household name in the minds of foreigners.
Take the example of Qatar, which hosted the FIFA World Cup 2022, or Morocco, a small nation from North Africa that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, whereas India has never qualified for one. Morocco’s stunning display on the world’s greatest stage turned the country into a household name in 90 minutes.
(Credit- Egyptian Streets)
A crucial win
The majority of the countrymen may not celebrate India’s win, but it was a crucial one, given that this is the time when India needs to defeat PAK in every field. Not to forget, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav stressed that at times, there are greater emotions and values at stake for a country than sportsmanship. Furthermore, sometimes, it is worth following a wise strategy rather than taking a bold stance.
(Credit- Mint)
A bold stance may serve as a statement at the moment, but a wise strategy helps win the game in the long run. At this point, India’s priority is to establish itself as a global sporting soft power.
