Pakistani players were seen cheering for Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharma
Jakarta/Palembang: The hostilities between India and Pakistan may take a very long time to die down. However, when it comes to sports, both the countries bury the hatchet. Athletes from both the countries were seen mingling in the ongoing Asian Games 2018.
During the men's doubles semifinals at the Jakabaring Tennis Center, Pakistani players were seen cheering for Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharma. Bopanna had reached a Grand Slam final with Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi from Pakistan back in 2010. The players were also seen being clicked together.
Veteran Pakistan tennis player Aqil Khan told PTI, "I have played some of the best tennis of my life in India, made great friends there, especially Delhi. I remain in constant touch with them. Whenever I played in Delhi, it was like home away from home."
Pistol shooter Ghulam Mustafa Bashir from Pakistan said that it is only natural that athletes from the two countries are fond of each other since they speak a similar language.
However, India's pistol coach Jaspal Rana said that shooters are a little wary of each other.
"Most of the shooters in Pakistan come from the defence forces. We get along well but you have to maintain a distance. Otherwise, there are no issues. I remember going to Karachi once. We were treated very nicely," said Rana to PTI.
(With agency inputs)
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