Pakistani tennis players not surprised by warm reception
For the small Pakistani tennis contingent in the Commonwealth Games, Delhi is no stranger and getting the second loudest cheer at yesterday's gala opening ceremony was hardly a surprise since they 'know' people of the two countries have nothing but love in their hearts.
Pakistani contingent participating in the Commonwealth Games was welcomed by a thunderous applause and cheers at the spectacular opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium last night.
"I told my (Davis Cup) captain that we will get a rousing reception and it happened," a beaming Aqeel Khan, Pakistan's number two tennis player, told PTI while watching Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi's first round match.
"Whenever I have come here, people have showered me with love and support. The players, the officials, the public here has been supportive in all these years. Playing here is like playing at home for me," Aqeel added.
The captain -- Mohammed Khalid, who is on his first visit to India, added, "It just shows that there is mohabbat (love) in the hearts of people of both the countries. There are some political problems but public remain attached to each other."
"When the train from Amritsar to Nakana Sahib comes, we always greet the devotees from India with great fervours," he said.
The two nations share a strained political relation since partition and the situation has gone from bad to worse after the 2008 Mumbai terror strike.
After that India have not travelled to Pakistan for cricket series and recently the Pakistani government had refused permission to its national Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) to hire Indian coach Sanjay Sawant.
Khalid, a former Davis Cup player, has roots in India as his grandmother lived in holy city of Amritsar in Punjab before partition and so he is desperate to visit the place at least once.
"We moved to Lahore long time back. But I still listen stories about our home in Amritsar. I want to go there but this time I will have to leave with the contingent after the Games. Perhaps, we will come for training for a longer period and then definitely we will go there," he said.
Qureshi, who put his country to new highs after a breakthrough performance at the US Open, where he reached the doubles final partnering India's Rohan Bopanna, agreed with his team-mates.
"I am coming to India after three years. Getting that good reception was awesome although I did not think it will be that good. It just shows there is lot of love between the two countries. People are sport lovers on both sides," he said.
Aqeel said when Indian players go to Pakistan, they also enjoy a warm hospitality. Sunil (Sipaeya), Mustaga (Ghouse), Rohan (Bopanna) have all been there for the India-Pakistan series and also for the ITF tournaments. They also enjoy VIP treatment there. This is because people of India and Pakistan think they are one," he said.
Pakistani tennis players not surprised by warm reception
Cmon now Mr. Administrator, do not behave like Kalmadi who doesn't know the difference between hooting and cheering.
