The U.S. Open, which is the fourth and final tennis tournament of the Grand Slam is currently taking place in New York city. Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, an Indian and Pakistani doubles team, lost to the American Bryan twins in the men's doubles finals last Friday, coming in second place. This is an interesting combination because India and Pakistan have been hostile towards each other since 1947. They have fought over three wars over Kashmir and issues of border lines. He would never forget Qureshi says, the sight of so many Indians wearing Pakistani flags and cheering together with Pakistanis. Back at the Wimbledon, Bopanna and Qureshi wore t-shirts that read "Stop war, Start Tennis." They believe they can do their best to promote peace and ameliorate relations between India and Pakistan."You can't mix politics, religion or culture with sports," Qureshi said. "That's the beauty about it."
When I heard about the India-Pakistani doubles pair, I had an indescribable feeling of joy because I knew this would be a step forward for the world. As Indians and Pakistans cheered together and for the other country, the hostility between them will subside and they will realize, just like Bopanna and Qureshi, they can work together as friends and accomplish great things. Perhaps before then, Indians and Pakistanis had a stereotypical conception or fear of each other and felt that each other was enemy by birth. However, I believe no matter what race or nationality, people can work together, as long as they trust in each other.
I absolutely agree with what Qureshi said; the beauty of sports lies in the fact that there there are no borders of nationality or religion. Back in the ancient times, when the Olympics were held, there was a truce and all city-states gathered to participate in a great sports event. Sports is an amazing thing; it's more than just running around or hitting balls, it's about the heart and cooperating together through trust.
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