Junior Hockey Stars Reaffirm Sportsmanship with High-Fives

In a refreshing display of on-field camaraderie, the junior men’s hockey teams of India and Pakistan exchanged cheerful high-fives ahead of their Sultan of Johor Cup clash in Malaysia on Tuesday, a gesture that quickly drew attention following a recent ‘no handshake’ controversy in cricket.

The moment of sportsmanship occurred after the national anthems were played, with players from both sides greeting each other warmly before the highly-anticipated Under-21 match. The sight stood in stark contrast to the strained interactions witnessed between the senior men’s and women’s cricket teams of the two nations in recent weeks, where handshakes were notably omitted during multiple encounters in tournaments like the Asia Cup and the Women’s World Cup.

The cricket ‘no handshake’ policy had stirred significant debate across the subcontinent, sparking discussions on the intersection of geopolitics and sportsmanship. Reports had even suggested that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had advised its players to remain composed and ignore the gesture should the Indian team opt out of the customary handshake, reflecting the cautious environment surrounding India-Pakistan sporting ties.

However, the young hockey players in Johor Bahru effectively bucked the trend. The visual of mutual respect, which was also followed by traditional handshakes after the high-voltage match concluded in a thrilling 3-3 draw, offered a timely reminder of the unifying power of sport.

For many fans and commentators, the high-fives represented a significant move toward de-escalating on-field tensions, reaffirming that the spirit of fair play and personal respect can, at times, triumph over wider diplomatic strain and past controversies.