Some of India's sporting greats have backed the cricket team and flayed the unsporting attitude of Australian team during the Sydney Test.
CHANDIGARH: Some of India's sporting greats have backed the cricket team and flayed the unsporting attitude of Australian team during the Sydney Test, saying not observing the right spirit kills the essence of sport.
Ajit Pal Singh, who led India to their only hockey World Cup glory in 1975, said the behaviour of arrogant Australian cricketers is unlike sportspersons.
"They have been arrogant for quite some time now. Earlier they have made some bad remarks and nudged a person like Sharad Pawar. Now they have crossed all the limits," Ajit Pal told.
"Cricket is a gentlemen's game and they should play it in that spirit. The Indian public is upset and so are the Australians. You see even the Australian media is supporting the Indian team," he said.
Flying sikh Milkha Singh said any sportsperson should not compromise with the prestige of the country.
"India's prestige comes before other things. And every player should keep that in mind that the country is foremost and then comes other things," Singh said.
Former India captain and illustrious full-back of yesteryear Pargat Singh said the broader meaning of sports is getting defeated by such murky issues.
"The anger is there (over what happened with the Indian team). But every game should be played with sporting spirit. The positive aspect of any sport is that it connects the whole world. People with bad intentions are defeating the meaning of sports. This also affects other relations between the two countries.
"You win some day, you lose some day and that's how sports keeps the balance right," he said.
Pargat said those spoiling the image of the sport must be punished to prevent such ugly episodes in future.
Current Indian hockey team coach Joaquim Carvalho said players should play every game in a hard but fair manner.
"Be it any game, it is important that one plays the game hard, but in a fair manner and within the rules. However, winning is not everything. Whatever problems are there should be sorted out on the ground and should not be taken out of it," he said.
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