Boxer Vikas Krishan calls for resumption of Indo-Pak sporting ties

Olympic-bound athlete says if Pakistan stops favouring terrorism then there is no harm in playing with them

Tribune Web Desk

Updated At : 02:42 AM Aug 18, 2020 IST

New Delhi, August 17

Olympic-bound boxer Vikas Krishan Yadav on Monday advocated resumption of sporting ties between India and Pakistan, saying a boxing tournament would be a “great idea”.

The Indian pugilist, who is currently training in Bellary, Karnataka, for the Tokyo Games, said he met with Pakistani boxers in South Asian Games last year and they, too, wanted the two nations to join hands again.

“Sports help in developing friendship between countries. India and Pakistan also must unite for the betterment of the people. However, I would also suggest that Pakistan needs to stop favouring terrorism and promise to be a good neighbor. Then there is no harm in playing with them,” said Vikas.

“I think a boxing tournament between India and Pakistan could be a good way of promoting the sport. I would ask both Pakistan and India that it would be better if they live with love and affection,” he said.

“Humanity is above all. Soldiers die and their families suffer. We must understand the need of the hour is to help each other rather than getting into an ugly fight,” added the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

British boxer of Pakistani-origin Amir Khan had recently shared the same views. “Many lives will be saved. Both India and Pakistan must unite and fight the common enemy which is poverty. I want all this tension between the two nations to end,” Amir had said.

Earlier in March, Vikas became one of the nine Indian boxers to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, after moving down to 69kg weight category from 75kg.

The 28-year-old was forced to leave the national camp in Patiala in July after violating the COVID-19 quarantine protocols. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) later cleared him after an internal inquiry found the breach as “unintentional”.

“Whatever happened is history now. I don’t want to get into it. Right now, I am focusing on winning an Olympic gold. My training is going great guns and I am sure that I will perform well in Tokyo,” he said. IANS