Government should not have a dual policy

The dual policy of the Government on the Sahara Cup has come in for some sharp criticism from a few quarters. First it was the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief AC Muthiah to fire the first salvo, questioning the Government's decision on its refusal to allow the Indian team to play Pakistan in Toronto in the Sahara Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Tauqir Zia and coach Javed Miandad too have questioned the decision.

The Indian Government however has taken a firm decision with regard to playing Pakistan in future. Sports Minister SS Dhindsa has categorically ruled out any bilateral series with Pakistan. Talking to the media in Chandigarh on Saturday, Dhindsa said "With the kind of environment Pakistan has created in the country, it is not wise to have matches with it till it mends it ways."

In Karachi, Miandad, a former Pakistan captain, while talking to reporters questioned the Indian Government's dual stand. Miandad asked "Last year also they refused to play us in Toronto but were willing to play against us in Australia. Why this dual policy? They should have a very clear policy with regard to playing against us."

Tauqir Zia said he was surprised by India's decision to pull out from the Sahara Cup. Talking to the Pakistan newspaper `Dawn', Zia said "It doesn't make any sense to me that Kashmir has been made the issue. We played in Dhaka, again in the Under-15 tournament in England and now we will face each other in Kenya. The cricketers of the two countries also played in one team in Dhaka and at The Oval. If the government policy is against playing Pakistan, why should it be confined to cricket. Then it should ban the teams from facing each other in other sports as well."

On India's decision to pull out, Miandad was far more critical in his view. "India needs to separate cricket from politics and take a positive stand on its cricketing ties with Pakistan otherwise its credibility would be damaged." He added "In India, politics is being mixed with sport. These are two different things. A cricket match should only be taken as a cricket match and nothing more should be read into it." Similar views were expressed by former Pakistan captain Imran Khan a couple of days back. In his statement, Imran Khan said "I always believe in more Pakistan- India series as people in the subcontinent are crazy about the game and they do not want to see cricket destroyed because of politics."

Looking at things from Zia's viewpoint, the Indian Government's decision would appear to be debatable. According to him, there are a number of unanswered questions for it was not clear whether the decision to withdraw the team from the Sahara Cup series was taken on political grounds or was it because of the impasse between the Indian Cricket Board and the Government on the decision of the so called 'tainted players'.

The other question is will the Government permit the team to participate in the ICC knockout tournament to be played in Kenya in October where Pakistan is also taking part. Given the situation, what will be the Government's stand be if India meet Pakistan in the tournament? Sure, the government decision is for only bilateral matches according to Dhindsa. But why have this dual policy in the first place?

The firm stand taken by the decision makers leaves a big question over India's proposed tour to Pakistan later this season. The Government needs to answer these issues and come out with a specific policy as politics should not be allowed to mingle with sport. Ultimately, the fans, the sponsors and the game will be the loser.