New Delhi: Indian athletes will be free to choose to shake hands or exchange favors with their Pakistani counterparts during the CWG, while receiving gifts or gifts from players from the neighboring country has not been confirmed, TOI has learnt.With the Indian and Pakistani armies often staying in the same hotels under Glasgow’s roof instead of the old Athletes’ Village concept, interaction between players from the two countries is expected to be inevitable at the games.It is understood that the matter was discussed with Indian officials in Glasgow as part of internal discussions with the group. Although receiving gifts or presents from Pakistani athletes was strictly prohibited, the decision to shake hands and exchange pleasantries was left to the discretion of individual players and, in some cases, the guidance of their sports federations (NSFs). No official guidelines have been issued by the authorities in this regard.For example, in athletics, the Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan’s CWG champion Arshad Nadeem is staying in the same hotel in Zone 3 before their tournament, creating a bond between the two.However, different games have taken different approaches. It has been reported that the officials of the lawn bowls have told the Indian players that there is nothing wrong with shaking hands, high fives or even chatting with the Pakistani players. A few other NSFs have offered similar suggestions.India’s approach to sports with Pakistan has long distinguished between a bilateral competition and an international event. Although the sports cooperation between the two countries has not been suspended, athletes from the two countries continue to compete in various sports events. In cricket, Indian and Pakistani players have avoided handshakes before and after matches in recent years. In contrast, minor hockey teams from the two countries alternated in the Sultan of Johor Cup.
