Press Trust of India
Guwahati, Feb 4: Tired after their arduous 30-hour-long travel from Lahore, Pakistani athletes Sobia Ghafoor and Bismah Idrees were seen relaxing at the lounge of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport here Thursday morning.
The women’s volleyball duo, who travelled along with another teammate, found themselves at ‘home’ while waiting for 12 of their other teammates who were slated to arrive in batches from Kolkata for the 12th South Asian Games (SAG) beginning Friday here and at Shillong.
“We’re coming here for the first time here and already we’re overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality. Win or not, I’m sure we’ll go back with a lot of memories – of friendship and peace,” the duo clad in green baize stated Thursday.
Elaborating their ‘touchdown’ experience in a country where political relations are always entangled, Sobia said: “We had issues with tickets and people in Kolkata really helped us.”
It is history in the making for the Pakistani women’s volleyball team who will be returning to the SAG after two decades. The players were camping in Lahore and they travelled via Doha to Kolkata taking them more than 24 hours to reach here.
“It’s a historic tour for the women’s team. We have been told that we’re participating in an international tournament after long time. We will try and do our best. God willing, we’ll reach the final,” said Sobia.
Fascinated by the Indian sarees and ‘bindi’, Sobia hopes to do some shopping, while her teammate Bisma wants to experience the food and watch few Hindi films.
Also a cricketer at domestic level, Bisma further said, “India-Pakistan should resume their cricketing ties. I’m sure the cricketers want to play and we fans are desperate to see them in action. At least they can take some of our players in the IPL.”
A 456-strong Pakistani contingent is participating in the February 5-16 Games which has a motto of ‘Play for Peace Progress and Prosperity’.
