India-Pakistan Hockey Controversy: Who is to blame?

The Pakistani men’s hockey team have gone the extra mile to make amends with Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh and captain Muhammad Imran arriving for an on-pitch media briefing holding a red rose in their hand. “We have already said sorry for what happened after the match against India and now we are here to present you this red rose,” the Pakistan coach said.

The Logical Indian community welcomes this graceful apology from the Pakistan team.

As we put the matter to rest, as logical sports fans we should ask ourselves this question: Were we blameless in this incident? Did we as spectators treat the visiting team with respect? Reports have emerged that the spectators at the India-Pakistan match venue had been abusing the visiting team throughout the match.


Spectators are obviously going to cheer their team. But does cheering your team require sledging and abusing the opponent? Indian and Pakistani fans are known for our often insensible and illogical actions. However that doesn’t justify the actions and lewd gestures by the Pakistani team. Players still have the extra responsibility to behave honourably as they wear their country’s colours.

Let’s remember that we are the same fans who this year brought sportsmanship to a new low when we pelted stones at Yuvraj Singh’s house following India’s defeat in the ICC World Twenty20 Finals. The same Yuvraj Singh who should be best defined for having been crowned Man of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup . Winning and losing is a part of sport. It is our responsibility to accept both gracefully.


Possibly the most critical point over the controversy has been highlighted by Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh “Today Asian hockey has once again lost to the Europeans. That should be the topic of discussion. Let’s move on and We should mend fences as we have promised that such behaviour will not be repeated. Let’s now get the bilateral hockey relations between India and Pakistan back on track. “

As logical sports enthusiasts, we must forever uphold the spirit of sportsmanship. Let us pledge to forever support our teams and our sports stars; but to never ever abuse or disrespect our opponents.