Lahore, Dec 05: Archrivals India and Pakistan are to clash on the polo ground in what is shaping up as the drawcard of the World Cup polo qualifying rounds here. The qualifiers start on Sunday. The three other teams in the zone D grouping are Australia, Singapore and Iran. Teams from four zones play qualifying rounds ahead of the main World Cup, which will take place in Chantilly, France, in September.
"We are delighted to be here and feel that sporting links between Pakistan and India will boost sports overall in south Asia," said Tajinder Singh Shergill, head of the eight-man Indian team.
India severed sporting links with Pakistan in the wake of an attack on their parliament in New Delhi two years ago. But recent measures towards normalising relations have raised hopes that the sports links will be revived.
The two teams will meet on December 14. The top teams from the round will join defending champions Brazil and European qualifier England in the World Cup proper in Chantilly, France, in September.
The Indians are favourites to win the group. "We are here to win and achieve the target of playing in the World Cup," said Shergill.
Bureau Report