Tension between India and Pakistan is running high, and it spilled onto the field in Oman. The 10th Asian Beach Handball Championship match between the two teams was played despite the strained relations. India lost 0-2, but the real story is what happened behind the scenes.
The Threat of a Heavy Fine
The International Handball Federation has strict rules. If India had boycotted the match, they would have faced a hefty fine of $10,000 – around ₹8.5 lakh. Not just that, they could have been banned for two years. The Asian Handball Federation (AHF) made it clear that backing out would be a breach of Olympic rules.
The Indian Handball Federation’s Executive Director, Anandeshwar Pandey, revealed that they had no choice but to play. “The AHF told us that not showing up would violate Olympic rules. We had no other option,” he said. Before the match, the Indian Handball Federation had written to the Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association, seeking guidance on whether to play Pakistan.
A Symbolic Protest
The Indian team wore black armbands during the match, a subtle protest against the tensions between the two countries. The AHF and tournament organizers weren’t happy about it and threatened to expel India from the tournament.
In the end, India played the match but lost. Pandey said that if they had received guidance from the government in time, they might have pulled out. The incident highlights the challenges athletes face when politics and sports collide.