The Politicization of Sport: The India-Pakistan Cricket Rivalry as a 'Theatre of Conflict'
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India and its neighborhood - Pakistan); Sports governance in India (BCCI).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): India and its neighborhood- relations. Cricket diplomacy is a key aspect of the India-Pakistan relationship.
General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics): The ethical responsibility of sportspersons; The concept of sportsmanship vs. nationalism.
Essay: Topics on sports, nationalism, and international relations.
Key Highlights from the News
In a recent Asia Cup India-Pakistan cricket match, the Indian team's decision not to shake hands with Pakistani players sparked major discussions about the politicization of sport.
The article strongly criticizes sport becoming another theatre of conflict for political tensions between countries.
In the past, India-Pak cricket helped improve relations between the two countries; today, it is becoming a symbol of political animosity.
The author argues that sportspersons are not soldiers, and the friendship in sports should uphold the fraternity of ordinary life.
The Indian captain's statement that the decision was due to "alignment" with government policies clearly indicates the government's influence on sports organizations, especially BCCI.
International organizations like ICC exacerbating this problem by overly organizing India-Pak matches for commercial interests.
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