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Q: Whatever be the outcome of any India-Pakistan match, is the rivalry way too unhealthy – for the sport and the already soured relations between the two countries?
A: Rivalry in sports arena is normal. But it’s more evident or articulated by the so-called fans and hyped these days through social media and the legacy media. Hence the surround NOISE makes us feel there is acrimonious relationship between players of the two teams. I have observed that amongst the team members/ players there is no visible tension.
In case of India and Pakistan, there are historical prejudices and pandered generation after generation by interested parties, on both sides of the border, to further their own agenda.
Hence, sports rivalry/ competitiveness is normal and healthy- it’s there in all forms of sports- but when it is used for myopic agenda , then it becomes unhealthy.