India removes Pakistani cricketers’ photos from its stadiums
Have you heard of cricket diplomacy? There were days when sports was considered as an element to promote peace. This point is still valid in the rest of the world, but for our neighboring country, it’s null and void.
It was back in February 1987, when Pakistan’s president at the time, General Zia ul-Haq, attended a test match between India and Pakistan in Jaipur. The historic visit is still termed as cricket diplomacy, an effort used to soften the relationship between the neighbouring countries.
But seems like India doesn’t consider sports to be taken as a tool to extend goodwill. In the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack, Rajasthan Cricketer Association has removed the photo of Pakistani cricketers from the Sawai Mansingh Stadium’s picture gallery.
Jaipur: Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) removes photos of Pakistani cricketers from Sawai Mansingh Stadium’s picture gallery. (16.02.2019) pic.twitter.com/OIrZlhacUD
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2019
Earlier, Cricket Club of India (CCI) had covered the portrait of Imran Khan at its Brabourne stadium headquarters in Mumbai.
Pictures of Pakistani cricketers pasted on the walls of Mohali Stadium, also known as IS Bindra Stadium (earlier PCA stadium), were been taken down by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) authorities in India on Sunday.
Punjab: Posters and pictures of Pakistani cricket players removed from Punjab Cricket Association stadium in Mohali. pic.twitter.com/b7EVb1TqFn
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2019
The photographs were removed from all corridors, long room and gallery of the stadium’s pavilion block. As being reported around 15 pictures were removed.
The photos that were removed included former Pakistan captains, Imran Khan (now Prime Minister), Shahid Afridi and Javed Miandad.
The removed photos also included those of the 2011 World Cup semi-final match played between India and Pakistan in Mohali.
In 2011, the then-premiers of India and Pakistan, Manmohan Singh and Yousaf Raza Gillani, had watched the match together in Mohali on March 30.
