The rivalry between India and Pakistan men’s cricket teams is a world-famous phenomenon. There would be hardly any cricket lover in this world who would deliberately ignore any of these much heated contests played between these so-called arch rivals of the world cricket. But there are many reasons which make us think that this rivalry is not only mindless but has also been deliberately created as a mere hoax. For example, consider the following facts. Many sports events take part between the teams of these two countries but they do not get such attention. Even the cricket matches between their women’s teams or the Under-19 teams do not create such hype which we witness during these men’s adult cricket teams.
Recently, the Indian cricket team was defeated by their Pakistani counterparts in the Emerging Asia Cup Final before the side had beaten the latter in a league match. But apart from a few cricket lovers, the vast majority of the two countries remained unaware or least affected by the result of these contests. Similarly, we do not witness any stressed or depressed people around us when there is hockey or any other sports contest between the teams of these two countries. This indicates clearly that it is not natural but artificial creation. Throughout history, we have been time and again brainwashed and made to think and feel the rivalry so that the contests get more and more attention worldwide. Otherwise, there is no other reason that only the contests between the adult men’s cricket teams of these two countries must get so much attention worldwide while other contests go often unheard.
There is no doubt that there has been a constant political rivalry between these two countries since their independence from the foreign yoke. But there is hardly any justification for mirroring that rivalry and antagonism in sports. Sports are played mainly for entertainment and pleasure. Sports and hatred and bigotry can not go hand in hand. Many nations play sports contests with each other to narrow down their gaps. Sports have the potential to unite rather than divide different countries.
This particular and artificial rivalry in cricket has been invented to serve the vested interests of some materialistic groups who earn by fooling the common masses. This artificial rivalry leads many people to become crazy during these contests and are becoming the worst examples of hypernationalism, jingoism and extremism from both sides.
Sanity lies in the approach that we must admire every great game and appreciate every great player. There is no problem if we attentively watch and follow such contests and cheer for our great players. However, we must not let ourselves get carried away by sheer hatred during such contests. Any sports event must not have the potential to put the honour of our nation or religion at stake. We must learn to enjoy every moment of the game properly and wisely. Games are not wars and they are not fought but played for the joy to reign and grow.
The writer is a teacher in the Education Department and can be reached at bu*****************@***il.com
The Mindless Rivalry
