Intro: Disgraceful act of going topless and showing middle finger to hosts by the Pakistani Hockey players is one of the worst displays of boorish behaviour in the international arena.
Emotions are always high in matches played between arch rivals India and Pakistan. But in that emotional high and excitement, some time players forget about their limitations and knowingly or unknowingly hurt sentiments.
In the recently held highly charged semi-final match of Champions Trophy between India and Pakistan on December 13 at Kalinga Stadium, Bhuvaneswar, India lost to Pakistan by 4-3 and also wasted a golden opportunity to break 32-year-old medal jinx in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Champions Trophy 2014. But the story doesn’t end here, the style of celebration by the Pakistani player’s rubbed salt on Indian players. In the post match celebration, excited Pakistani players took off their T-shirts, made obscene gestures and used foul language towards Indian fans and media after their win. This is not the first time, just a few months ago some Pakistani fans were captured showing middle finger to Indian Hockey team after the final match of Asian games in which India defeated Pakistan.
Later after pressure from Hockey India, the FIH did a volte-face and suspended two Pakistan players, Muhammad Tousiq and Amjad Ali while Shafqat Rasool was officially reprimanded.
Speaking about the recent incident, Former FIFA Referee and Olympian Syed Sahid Hakim told Organiser, ‘I saw the semi final of the Champions’ Trophy between India and Pakistan. It was a great match. But all my joy of seeing a good and fair game between the two arch rivals turned into sorrow on seeing the vulgar actions of Pakistani players after they defeated India. In any match a team wins and another loses. Utmost it may end in a draw. One has to be magnanimous in victory. Quite a few Pakistani players took out their jerseys and made not only humiliating but even obscene signs at the Indian public. The Pakistani players brought bad name not only to Hockey and sportsmanship but to their country and to the religion of Islam. I am also a Muslim. Taking out shirt in public is indecency rather vulgarity. One match suspension is no Punishment. Minimum six months suspension is required, and the Pakistan Hockey Federation should apologize.’
—Syed Sahid Hakim, former FIFA Referee |
That it was the frustration of loss in the Asian Games final and denial of direct entry to the 2016 Rio Olympics was evident on the faces of Pakistani players. There is nothing as precious as sportsmanship but the same was missing in the Champions Trophy semi-final.
The manner in which Pakistani players celebrated their victory was not only shameless but wild as well. Players must not forget that whenever and wherever they play, they represent their nation and their behavior impacts the sport altogether. Winning and losing are two sides of the game. If they win now that doesn't mean that they would never lose it again. It is the sportsman spirit which decides who is the real winner. The memories created by Pakistani players at Kalinga Stadium will never be erased and the pictures of this shameful display will remain in minds for quite some time. –Nishant Kr Azad
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