‘We want the India-Pakistan series to take place’

In a joint statement issued by the PCB chief Shahryar Khan and BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya, the two had expressed their desire to revive the bilateral series.

The Union Sports Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, said the Government wanted the India-Pakistan series to go ahead.

“For better friendship and relationship (with Pakistan), we want the series to take place,” said Sonowal here on Sunday.

The Sports Minister, however, added that “there were a lot of issues that need to be addressed. But, as a Sports Minister, my main objective is to promote sports.”

In a joint statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board chief, Shahryar Khan, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India president, Jagmohan Dalmiya, the two had expressed their desire to revive the bilateral series.

More medals at Rio

About the 2016 Rio Olympics, Sonowal said the Government was looking at increasing the medals tally.

“We are targeting more medals at Rio, and that is our prime objective. For this purpose, we are helping the athletes who are medal prospects,” he said.

The Sports Minister said the Government is seriously following the inquiry in the recent tragedy at the SAI centre in Kerala’s Alappuzha district.

“The enquiry is still on and we taking all possible measures to ensure that there is no repeat of this,” he said. — Principal Correspondent