Kolkata: Relations between India and Pakistan have been complex and largely hostile due to a number of historical and political events over the years. The bilateral sporting ties have suffered a major setback especially in recent years. A peace loving group, Pakistan India people’s forum for peace and democracy (PIPFPD) has decided to make another effort for peace. The organisation has decided to involve youths of both the countries in wishing best of luck to each other’s country ahead of the Men’ Hockey World Cup to be held at Bhubaneswar in India from November 28 to December 16.
Sports lover Rahul Mukherji invited the unique idea to use hockey as it’s been popular in both the countries. The forum will start a competition where youths from both countries were invited to create best of luck message in art form for each other country. The youths have been divided into four categories of 6-8 age group, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-18 age group. The youth have to create an artwork wishing best of luck for India team if the youth is from Pakistan or Pakistani origin.
Likewise a youth will have to create artwork to wish Pakistani team if the youth belongs to India or of Indian origin. The youths living in any other country than India-Pakistan too can participate. The three entries in each age group will be awarded.
Rahul said, “Everyone including both the federations supported our initiative which made me happy. Sports and art can be the best tools to involve children in peace making since both are universal language. Hockey is a popular sport in both countries and the game has given both India and Pakistan their first recognition in a global sport arena.
