Shahid Afridi Joins The Voices Of The Ages

by Tim Holt

Sport is indeed about the action within the games,but just as integral is the emotion attached to it.That indeed can not only move people to think,but also to act and exert pressure on Governments for change. We have seen this many times in history with probably the most compelling being the Black Power Salute by both Tommie Smith and John Carlos in the 1968 Olympics.

That was in protest of the appalling treatment of African American's at the time and duly made people sit up and take notice.Thus in it's wake Governments were forced to put the wheels of change in motion. This in an age before computers and the Internet that makes everything so immediate and accessible for basically everyone and anyone.

Though such was it's meaning that it still made the World stand up and take notice. Roll onto 2010 when the Internet does rule our lives.The union at the US Open tennis between India's Rohan Bopana and Pakistan's Aisam ul Qureshi did make people notice before they even hit a ball.For both Nations in their chequered history have always indulged in hate more than they have in peace.Thus with every win the word about them spread and the attention on them mulitiplied.

To the point that when they made the Final the result was rendered irrelevant for the message of Peace was the focus. For the record they lost, but in the post match speech from both all the citizens of both fine Nations and indeed Muslim people around the World won. Especially the words of Aisam ul Quereshi seen in this video: Moving isn't is...............?

For the reason that it is basically what every person wants in Peace. Though sadly this is the overwhelming desire of people,but Governments and the Media have different agendas.For Governments make cash through conflict and then the Media duly profit from sensationalising about it. This again in full bloom in the Cricket World Cup and the hysteria surrounding the epic Semi Final between India and Pakistan.I

n the lead up the Media did everything and anything to embellish,so as the sell their rags.Then in the aftermath they were at it again with Pakistan's Captain Shahid Afridi. Though this is where it stopped and Afridi shook the World with his comments when the Media tried to make the Interview about hysteria about India. I dont know why we are against India so much. I dont understand the mindset of people here, why are we so opposed to India? .

Why is there so much hatred against India, are there no other teams?. If thats the case then why are so many Indian TV soaps watched in every household here our marriage rituals are so very similar to theirs lot of Indian movies are being watched here, then why is this hatred for India, why only with India? Automatically with this response he cemented his legend in the annals of time.For in a cricket crazy region such as India and Pakistan there are few higher profiles than the Captain of one of these Nations.And in Afridi their are few as idolized,not only in Pakistan,but around the World. So when he talked people listened.........

Duly the Media were silenced akin to a yappy dog being muted in the face of it's master.Then the roll on effect is the further pressure that will be exerted on the Governments of India and Pakistan to renew ties.That was already looking promising with the respected leaders watching the Semi together.You can see Afridi being the catalyst for this. As such, like the other sportsmen mentioned in this article that have instigated change. I on behalf of billions of people bow in respect and appreciation to you Shahid Afridi!