Avoid politics from sports: State minister


FAREEDABAD - Haryana State Sports Minister Sukhbir Katariya was full of praise for Pakistan handicapped cricket team and Physically Challenged Cricket team of India for taking the initiative of reviving cricketing ties between the two countries and providing fans an opportunity to bridge the gap and bring closer people of both neighbouring countries, he expressed these views while talking to TheNation on Thursday.He said: “I am really impressed with the visit of Pakistan handicapped cricket team to India as they are the true ambassadors of Pakistan and every Pakistan must feel proud of them. Winning or losing doesn’t matter, the thing that matter most is the message we give to the entire world community and that message is of peace, love and harmony, we could settle all our disputes and problems through sports.”He said that politics must be kept out of the sports and now is the time that people of both countries end their differences and come closer by not only playing cricket but also other sports too.He said that Pakistan kabbadi team coming to India regularly and Indians also want other Pakistani teams also come to India and Indian team also visit Pakistan to further boost the relations.  When asked by this correspondent whether he supports the revival of cricketing ties between the two teams and that too on home grounds, he immediately replied in a big yes, he said off course Pakistan and India teams must play against each other and the bilateral ties must starts, Indian cricket team would visit Pakistan as soon as security situation improves there and he would love to see Pakistan and India play against each other very soon, Sukhbir concluded. – Mohsin Ali

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