Islamabad:
Pakistan Olympic Association President Syed Arif Hasan has advocated the need to normalise the sporting ties with India, saying the improved relations between the two nations would only help the athletes of Pakistan.
The Pakistan Olympic Association official said the attitude towards the neighbours must change as it it is in Pakistan's interest if relations with India improve.
"The benefits of normal sporting contacts with India are greater for Pakistan. Our sportsmen and women can take advantage of the excellent training facilities and coaching courses in India.
"It is also cheaper for us and other federations to send teams to India and organise competitions in the region," Hasan said in an interview.
Hasan said sport can become a tool to help ease the strain between the two nations.
"We need to use sports to promote more understanding between the people, I think sports can help remove lot of concerns and mistrust between the two nations," he said.
POA has given approval to send 95-member contingent for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
Hasan, a former military man, made it clear that the military had no objections to having sporting ties with India.
"The Commonwealth Games torch will reach Pakistan on June 23 and will be taken to India via the Wagah Border. We have planned to have a special ceremony with children. These children on both sides of the border will exchange white handkerchiefs as a symbol of peace," he said.
The sporting relationship between India and Pakistan hit a low following November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The Indian government cancelled a Test tour to Pakistan in early 2009 and since then, the governments have avoided bilateral sporting contacts with cricket suffering the most.
However, Pakistani teams have been to India to take part in international events like the hockey World Cup, table tennis world championships and Asian quash championship.
The Pakistan Olympic Association official said the attitude towards the neighbours must change as it it is in Pakistan's interest if relations with India improve.
"The benefits of normal sporting contacts with India are greater for Pakistan. Our sportsmen and women can take advantage of the excellent training facilities and coaching courses in India.
"It is also cheaper for us and other federations to send teams to India and organise competitions in the region," Hasan said in an interview.
Hasan said sport can become a tool to help ease the strain between the two nations.
"We need to use sports to promote more understanding between the people, I think sports can help remove lot of concerns and mistrust between the two nations," he said.
POA has given approval to send 95-member contingent for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
Hasan, a former military man, made it clear that the military had no objections to having sporting ties with India.
"The Commonwealth Games torch will reach Pakistan on June 23 and will be taken to India via the Wagah Border. We have planned to have a special ceremony with children. These children on both sides of the border will exchange white handkerchiefs as a symbol of peace," he said.
The sporting relationship between India and Pakistan hit a low following November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The Indian government cancelled a Test tour to Pakistan in early 2009 and since then, the governments have avoided bilateral sporting contacts with cricket suffering the most.
However, Pakistani teams have been to India to take part in international events like the hockey World Cup, table tennis world championships and Asian quash championship.
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