Karachi: A new war has broken out between traditional rivals India and Pakistan. It is neither over Kashmir nor on the cricketing field. The tussle is over India’s tennis icon Sania Mirza’s future: whether she will play for India or represent her sasural, Pakistan, on court.
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While Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has issued a resounding appeal to Sania to play for Pakistan, the same has been rejected by the All India Tennis Association (AITA).
PTF chief Dilawar Abbas has said that India’s tennis sensation Sania Mirza should represent Pakistan in international tennis tournaments after entering into wedlock with cricketer Shoaib Malik.
“It is great news for our tennis community that Sania Mirza is getting married to Shoaib Malik. We welcome her and hope that she would become a Pakistani national and play for us in future. She has a great future ahead and we would be delighted if she plays for Pakistan,” a leading newspaper quoted Abbas, as saying.
“Asian women traditionally follow their husbands which is why I’m hopeful that someday she would be inspired by Shoaib to play for Pakistan,” he added.
However, All India Tennis Association (AITA) has issued a statement confirming her participation for India till the 2012 Olympics.
"Sania Mirza and her parents have informed AITA that she will continue to play for India after her marriage with Shoaib Malik," AITA secretary-general Anil Khanna said.
"She has confirmed to be a part of the Indian team in the 2010 Commonwealth Games at Delhi (October 2010), XVI Asian Games at Guangzhou, China (November 2010), 2011 Fed Cup (February 2011), 2012 Olympics at London (July/August 2012)."
Sania has, however, already made it clear that she would continue representing India even after her marriage. Talking to Zee News, her father Imran Mirza said that she would surely play for India and not Pakistan.
Abbas said that even if Sania decides to continue playing for India, he hopes that she would associate herself with Pakistan tennis at some point of time.
“She can encourage our girls to take up tennis, she can inspire them to become world class players. We would hope that Sania would lend a helping hand to women’s tennis in Pakistan,” he said.
Abbas even suggested that Sania could team up with Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq on the mixed-doubles circuit.
“Both Sania and Aisam are really good doubles players. I believe that their team would not just achieve great results internationally but will also help bridge the gap between India and Pakistan,” he said.
Sania, however, has made it clear that she would continue representing India at the international level even after marrying the former Pakistan captain later this month.
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-Agencies inputs
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