On-high Bofors ready for assault

Sep 13, 2010 |

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Chennai, Sept. 13: Rohan Bopanna is not pleased about the political twist given to his successful partnership with Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. The Indian tennis star, who made headlines with Aisam with a brilliant run at the US Open, says their aim is to use the sport to make a statement to incite social change.

Not only were millions from two countries excited about the rare Indo-Pak togetherness, the occasion at New York even saw UN ambassadors from the neighbouring countries sitting side-by-side and cheering for the duo. “For me, Aisam is not a Pakistani. He is my partner and someone I know for more than 10 years. Aisam has already paired with a Jew and a Christian as no other Pakistani is on the Tour. All we want to do is to promote peace through tennis,” he said. “We are trying to help each other in our careers and are not bothered about whatever about politics,” explained Bopanna, called bofors by friends, who is here for India’s Davis Cup campaign against Brazil that starts on Friday.

Over the years, tennis has seen a lot of pairs breaking up, but Bopanna is confident that the Indo-Pak Express will not be derailed. “We are already world No.6 and our aim is to reach the top. A Grand Slam triumph is just around the corner. If we continue to play, I am sure, we will be a force to be reckoned with in the future,” Bopanna said.

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