Inspite of being deprived of watching the grand spectacle live, the Pakistani media acknowledged today that the country's sportsmen had marched out to a 'overwhelming reception' on the Indian soil.
Inspite of being deprived of watching the grand spectacle live, the Pakistani media acknowledged today that the country's sportsmen had marched out to a "overwhelming reception" on the Indian soil.
"Its genuine love shown for the Pakistani contingent", commented the media on the thundering ovation the men in green got from a packed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the opening of the Commonwealth Games.
India and Pakistan should make efforts to build on this geniality said prominent dailies The Dawn and The Daily Times, as they praised the spectacular show put up by India for the opening of the Games that had been marred by controversies and delays.
Both the dailies said the warm reception for the Pakistanis came despite frosty relations between the two nuclear armed neighbours.
It was not only the media, eminent sportsmen also heaped praise on the colourful start to the mega event.
"India dazzle the world with a grand ceremony", commented Pakistani hockey wizard Shahnaz Shaikh.
Though the opening of the Games was watched by a record billions of viewers worldwide, but the Pakistan Government's ban on Indian television deprived the fans of watching the ceremony live.
A day after the grand opening, a number of Pakistani sportsmen and officials came live on TV to say that the opening was impressive and would help India to build up for a grand holding of the Games.
The Daily Times and Dawn newspapers noted in editorials that the run-up to the Games had been marred by controversies and delays, especially related to the sports infrastructure created for the mega-event. Such setbacks had affected India's efforts to tell the world community of its coming of age, the dailies said.
The Games should now focus on sporting achievements and building on the affection displayed at the opening ceremony on Sunday, they wrote.
But after the pat for the opening ceremony, the media came down hard on Pakistani sports boards saying they had failed to prepare adequately for the event.
The Daily Times said, "Sports are not only about winning or losing; they are about doing so with an equal amount of grace...We should nevertheless support these games in India and build on the genuine love that was shown at the opening ceremony in New Delhi."
The Dawn said, "Beyond politics and controversies, the Games will hopefully turn out to be a showcase for sporting ability and memorable performances."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}