The national football team of Pakistan has received permission to travel to India and take part in the South Asia Football Federation (SAFF) Championship. This will be their first match in India since 2014. The two countries have faced political tensions that often prevent them from playing home matches against each other in various sports.
However, Pakistan’s participation in this event gives hope that they will also participate in the ICC World Cup cricket tournament hosted by India later this year, despite earlier threats of boycotting the event. Yousaf Butt, Pakistan’s captain, emphasized the ability of sports to go beyond political differences and build relationships.
The SAFF Championship involves eight nations, and the final match will take place on July 4.