Mr. Birbal Wadhera urges both sides to reduce tension through sports
By Muhammad Ittefaq & Azhar Iqbal
CHANDIGARH: At a time when Indo-Pak relationship is tense taking the issue of Islamabad’s
initiative to construct border check-post gates and to implement a proposal to erect fence alongside the Durand Line – an Indian sports coach is aspiring to improve ties through sport diplomacy.
Panjab University Chandigarh Tennis Coach Birbal Wadhera has urged India and Pakistan to reduce tension between both the countries through sports. Mr. Wadhera said he would try his level best to improve relations between both countries through sports and this was his ultimate objective of life.
While talking to Monthly The Educationist, a premiere education newspaper of Pakistan, he said, “When I went to Pakistan to train youngsters in Islamabad in May 2011 and I observed Pakistani people and players loved me very much, I was very happy.”
Birbal said he has a family in India and many people in India oppose me for supporting and campaigning for peace talks. Talking to The Educationist reporters in Chandigarh, Birbal said he knew that after talking about peace talk with Pakistan, he might face opposition. “I am saying this confidently and bravely ….this is about to resolve the tension between two neighbours. If USA, Europe or some other countries offered him for coaching and Pakistan also so, I prefer Pakistan because I love Pakistan and considered it as my second home.”
Mr. Wadhera said in India some people wanted to portray his image negatively and they did but he did not care about that. He added that he is ready to face any kind of resistant from Pakistan also. He said If Europe and other developed countries can progress through good relations why not India and Pakistan. He said sports, politics and religion are different and these shouldn’t be interlinked. He said sports have no religion and no borders, however, some politicians and some other activists do not want good relations with Pakistan. He said both countries can progress and beat any country in sports and development.