For the non-cricket followers – the title for this post will probably not make sense…. but I’ll explain it at the end…
On the 3rd of March 2009, the Pakistani city of Lahore witnessed another “terrorist” incident, this time with higher profile targets in minds and motivation that remains unknown for now. The targets of this attack were the touring cricket team from Sri Lanka. The SL team were severely affected by this incident, and a number of players and coaching staff were seriously injured. 7 policemen were also killed. The SL team had a lucky escape because of the eventual quick thinking and action of the driver of the team coach.
This incident has sent shock waves across the cricketing world. This attack in Pakistan, an amazing cricket loving nation, has severly dented one of their national symbols; cricket is far greater than any sport in this nation. Although it is never fair for anyone to suffer at the hands of terrorism, I don’t quite understand why a touring cricket team would be attacked – especially a team from a nation which has no issues (political or otherwise) with Pakistan at all. I guess, the terrorists don’t require a reason to attack.
Ofcourse, this isn’t the first “terrorist” attack in the sporting arena. Eric Rudolph carried out the pipe bomb attack during the Atlanta Olympics, albeit not against any athletes. Going further back, the Munich Massacre springs to mind in the ’72 Olympics. The question which is begging to be asked is – why attack sportsmen?
Sport as a whole is something which brings people together; be it in the field of competition, or be it in the spirit of an event. Sport teaches you many a lesson in life – simple things like discipline, team work, concentration and excellence are the first things which pop up when you talk about participating in sport. There has always been violence in sport as well, but it is due to the passion, or the extreme “love” for the game. The events in Pakistan were completely contradictory to all of these. Regardless of who carried out the attack, the perpetrators obviously don’t have any care for human life, but are also willing to destroy a bond which brings people across multiple divides together.
The sad thing about the events on Tuesday is that it is highly likely that the supposed 14 men who were involved in the attacks will never be found. It is worrying that the attackers encountered with the cops for 25 minutes before escaping so easily (have a look at this clip which shows how easy it was). It is premature to claim that not enough was done to prevent this (how much is enough?), but questions must be raised on how such an event was allowed to take place in the morning rush hour without a single one of the attackers being apprehended.
Just like the Pakistani team in the outfield – this one seems to have slipped through the fingers too.
*Butter Fingers is the term given to those fielders (catchers) who just cant keep hold of the ball – it keeps slipping out of their grasp.
{ 4 comments }
Sigh, I wish I were good at sports…
sounds like ur insinuating the gov in this.
@Mars
It does sound insinuating when I read it again…. but am I wrong in my claims?
I guess my claims are based on recent history of events in the region. Also, I claim based on the accounts of locals. I have family in Pakistan, and constantly hear from them on how not much is done when local small scale attacks take place. Saying that, it is premature to clearly say what will happen… only time will tell us!
Salaams… Interesting post, especially since I hadn’t read the news pieces relating to the incident. I had no clue it was the Sri Lankan team that was attacked, and it makes no sense for it to have been so. Ok…suppose the PK gov was involved (not entirely unlikely), why would they be involved? What gripe does PK have with SL? National sports teams might seem like “valid” targets of attack, given that “normal” citizens are routinely attacked in any aggression. So, national sports teams, which actually represent the flag of a nation, might seem like an obvious choice for attack…it’s a much more direct form of attacking the “nation” they represent. Is it wrong? Most definitely…and as a form of psychological scarring, I think it’s particularly devious.
Thanks for writing about this. I really appreciated this as the first perspective to read on the cricket attack.
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