Do not allow Pak cricketers, artists in India: Former hockey players

Meanwhile, three time World cup champion and chief coach of the Pakistan national team Akhtar Rasool said the bilateral series, to be held in March in both the countries, should go ahead.

"Personally I feel that this is not very good development. I wanted them to play in HIL but I respect the decision of organisers. They must have taken it after a lot of consideration," Rasool said.

"India and Pakistan must play with each other to reduce the dominance of European team over world Hockey. This series will convey the message that sport can build bridges. People across the border will enjoy it," said the veteran, who also won Olympic silver (1972 Munich) and bronze (1976 Montreal) medals.

Hasan Sardar, rated as one of the best forwards in the world an winner of Olympic (1984) and World Cup (1982) gold medals, said sport should not suffer in this row.

"There are certain elements in both the countries who do not want them to get closer. I think sports should be kept away from this as it is the medium to present the country in a better way to the world. Both the nations should show sportsman spirit and large heartedness as far as sports is concerned," he said.

"We have won WC and Asian games in India. I still remember the warm welcome and love bestowed on us by Indians. Shopkeepers refused to take money from us, that kind of respect was there," said the veteran who had scripted Pakistan's 7-1 triumph over India with a hat-trick in Asiad final in 1982.

"I still think that there is no problem playing in India except Mumbai. Mumbai can be avoided," he said.

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