Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna sees the tennis series between Pakistan and India would open up new horizons in relations between the two countries
Bopanna arrived here Thursday to attend the wedding of his doubles partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. Qureshi, 31, recently got engaged to Faha Makhdoom, a Pakistani British citizen who was chosen by his family. Celebrations over four days will mark the couple’s marriage this week. Talking to journalists here at the Lahore Gymkhana tennis courts along with compatriot Muhammad Mustafa, Bopanna said that he was feeling at home and would hope to see the two countries break all shackles of hatred and live together peacefully.
Pakistan’s Davis Cupper Aqeel Khan was also present on the occasion and practiced with Bopanna and Mustafa. “I have come here to attend Aisam’s wedding and I am very happy for my friend,” Bopanna said. Bopanna said Qureshi was his best friend in the tennis world and he was pleased to be part of his friend’s happiness. Responding to a question about his pairing with Qureshi, Bopanna said he would not reply to any queries about tennis. “It’s a moment of happiness for my friend, lets enjoy it,” he said. Bopanna will return to India on December 19 after the festivities. “It’s nice to be in Pakistan and I hope we resume tennis between the two countries which in turn would increase interest in the sport in both the countries,” Bopanna said.
Bopanna and Qureshi, who doubled up in 2007 and shot to fame by finishing as runners up in last year’s US open, have been poster boys for Indian-Pakistani rapprochement. “We are good friends and will remain good friends,” said Bopanna. “I am here to attend his wedding and am very happy at that.” Bopanna said they were still waiting for permission for the “peace match.”
“We offered to play a match at the Wagah border and wrote letters to both governments, but we still await clearance,” said Bopanna. A recent thaw in relations and a resumption of the tenuous peace process earlier this year has raised hopes that direct sports matches can resume, notably in India and Pakistan’s twin obsession of cricket.
