Despite ongoing political tensions between the two countries, stories of friendship between Indian and Pakistani sports figures off the field remain heart-warming. These stories transcend boundaries and showcase the deep bonds formed over a love of the sport.
One of the stories involved former Pakistan captain Waseem Ahmed and former India attacking midfielder Baljeet Singh Saini.
This story is a testament to bridging gaps and fostering connections that transcend borders. Interestingly, it also involves peshawar pottery and Banarasi sarees, adding a touch of cultural richness to the relationship.
Ahmed holds the record for most caps for the national team (410) Pakistancurrently living in Melbourne, Australia.
He has been linked with Southern United since 2015 hockey Club, he brings his expertise as a player and assistant coach to the team, imparting the typical Pakistani style to the team.
Meanwhile, Saini, who coached the Indian youth women’s team, traveled between India and the United States and settled in the United States with her family.
“Our fiercest rivals on the field are Pakistanis and our best friends off the field of international hockey are also Pakistanis,” Saini told Timesofindia.com in a conversation.
Ahmed’s response in Melbourne sparked nostalgia.
“Badi dosti hai (We have a great friendship),” Ahmed said over the phone a few years ago when Timesofindia.com called him for an interview in Australia.
In 1998, during India’s visit to Pakistan, a memorable series was staged, and Ahmed, who had made his debut just two years earlier, gradually became a key player in the midfield.
There are eight games in the series, split evenly between the two countries on a home and away basis.
“Dilip Tirqui (Man of the Series) and Baljit Saini were young guys like me,” recalled Ahmed. “We have Shahbaz as a senior and junior, as well as Tahir Zaman. We won the first two games in Peshawar and Rawalpindi. In Lahore, they Beat us and then beat us in Karachi too.
In Peshawar, Saini wanted to take a souvenir home. That’s when he stepped into the Pakistani camp.
Ahmed told TimesofIndia.com: “Saini came and said I want to buy a cutlery set. It (pottery) is very famous there (Peshawar). There are around 70-80 pieces of cutlery.”
“He (Ahmed) must not have told you that he gave me this gift,” Saini revealed, adding even more warmth to the story. “Our friendship grew and we’ve stayed in touch ever since.”
A few years later, when Ahmed’s sister got married, the Pakistan midfielder contacted Saini as he was looking for some Banarasi sarees – a traditional Indian garment also famous in Pakistan.
“We had a teammate at that time, Anurag Raghuvanshi, who was from Banaras. I contacted him to get the sarees and sent them to Wasim,” said Saini . “He even came to Jalandhar to see me afterwards.”
One of the stories involved former Pakistan captain Waseem Ahmed and former India attacking midfielder Baljeet Singh Saini.
This story is a testament to bridging gaps and fostering connections that transcend borders. Interestingly, it also involves peshawar pottery and Banarasi sarees, adding a touch of cultural richness to the relationship.
Ahmed holds the record for most caps for the national team (410) Pakistancurrently living in Melbourne, Australia.
He has been linked with Southern United since 2015 hockey Club, he brings his expertise as a player and assistant coach to the team, imparting the typical Pakistani style to the team.
Meanwhile, Saini, who coached the Indian youth women’s team, traveled between India and the United States and settled in the United States with her family.
“Our fiercest rivals on the field are Pakistanis and our best friends off the field of international hockey are also Pakistanis,” Saini told Timesofindia.com in a conversation.
Ahmed’s response in Melbourne sparked nostalgia.
“Badi dosti hai (We have a great friendship),” Ahmed said over the phone a few years ago when Timesofindia.com called him for an interview in Australia.
In 1998, during India’s visit to Pakistan, a memorable series was staged, and Ahmed, who had made his debut just two years earlier, gradually became a key player in the midfield.
There are eight games in the series, split evenly between the two countries on a home and away basis.
“Dilip Tirqui (Man of the Series) and Baljit Saini were young guys like me,” recalled Ahmed. “We have Shahbaz as a senior and junior, as well as Tahir Zaman. We won the first two games in Peshawar and Rawalpindi. In Lahore, they Beat us and then beat us in Karachi too.
In Peshawar, Saini wanted to take a souvenir home. That’s when he stepped into the Pakistani camp.
Ahmed told TimesofIndia.com: “Saini came and said I want to buy a cutlery set. It (pottery) is very famous there (Peshawar). There are around 70-80 pieces of cutlery.”
“He (Ahmed) must not have told you that he gave me this gift,” Saini revealed, adding even more warmth to the story. “Our friendship grew and we’ve stayed in touch ever since.”
A few years later, when Ahmed’s sister got married, the Pakistan midfielder contacted Saini as he was looking for some Banarasi sarees – a traditional Indian garment also famous in Pakistan.
“We had a teammate at that time, Anurag Raghuvanshi, who was from Banaras. I contacted him to get the sarees and sent them to Wasim,” said Saini . “He even came to Jalandhar to see me afterwards.”
