Indian Hockey Legend Zafar Iqbal wants HIL to have Pakistani players, avoid politics in sports

INDIAN HOCKEY LEGEND Zafar Iqbal has said that Pakistani players should be included in the Hockey India League.

HIL, a franchise based national hockey league in India, was discontinued a few years ago and Hockey India is in process of reviving it.

Talking to PTI on the matter, the 1980 Olympics gold medalist said,

"I am sure they (Pakistan players) should be invited; they should play here and we should play there also. That barrier should not be (there), but (again) I do not know about the political situation. It depends on the Government of India how it it takes it, but as far as players are concerned there should be no barriers."

In the past, Pakistani players did participate in the HIL. However, the politicial relationship between the two countries has worsened since then and it has led to bilateral sports between the two countries nearly come to a stop. No Pakistani players are a part of the IPL, India's biggest sports league, or other major sports leagues in the country. Even the Indian national cricket team has refused to play in Pakistan for the Asia Cup. Recently, the Pakistan football team visited India to play in the SAFF Championship but their participation was uncertain till the last day due to visa issues.

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