Tejashwi Yadav Advocates for Sports to Stay Separate from Politics Amid Debate Over India Participation in 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding India’s participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. With tensions rising due to the political backdrop and concerns about the safety of the Indian cricket team traveling to Pakistan, Yadav has called for sports to be kept out of politics.
In a recent media interaction, Yadav emphasized that sports should remain independent of political disputes. The conversation surrounding India’s participation has gained political traction, especially considering the strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. However, Yadav believes such tensions should not influence sporting events.
Drawing a parallel with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visit to Pakistan, where he shared a meal of Biryani with former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Yadav argued, “Involving politics into sports is not a good thing. Doesn’t everyone participate in the Olympics? Why shouldn’t India go there (Pakistan)? What’s the objection? If the PM can go there to have Biryani, then it’s good. If the Indian team travels, why is that not good?”
The Indian government has yet to take an official stance on whether the national team will participate in the Champions Trophy, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated it will adhere to the government directive. Pakistan, however, has rejected the idea of holding the tournament in a hybrid model, where India matches would be played at a neutral venue.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is scheduled to meet on Friday to finalize the scheduling of the 2025 Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly made it clear that they will not consider a hybrid model for the tournament. This follows the precedent set during the Asia Cup in September 2023, where Pakistan, despite being the official host, saw India’s matches and the knockout rounds played in Sri Lanka.
As the debate continues, Yadav call for separating politics from sports has added a new layer to the ongoing discussion about the 2025 Champions Trophy.
