India’s Amrit Vats and Pakistan's Muhammad Yahya Indian tennis player Amrit Vats and Pakistan’s Muhammad Yahya have teamed up to win the boys’ doubles title at the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors J30 tournament in Djibouti.The pair defeated Thailand’s David Awayo and Saudi Arabia’s Ahmed Bahaa Srouji 6-2, 6-4 in straight sets.
Watch Bombay Sport Exchange: Jonty Rhodes on why Indian parents must rethink sport Their victory brings back memories of the famous Indian-Pakistani doubles partnership between Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, who earned the nickname “Indo-Pak Express” for their success on the international tennis circuit.A win that recalls the Indo-Pak Express Bopanna and Qureshi became one of tennis’ most recognised doubles teams, reaching the 2010 US Open men’s doubles final before losing to the Bryan brothers.The pair won five ATP titles together, including the 2011 Paris Masters, along with tournaments in Dubai, Johannesburg, Halle and Stockholm.
Both also reached the top 10 in the doubles rankings.Beyond tennis, they used their partnership to promote peace between India and Pakistan through their ‘Stop War, Start Tennis’ campaign.
They wore specially designed T-shirts to spread their message and received the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award in 2010 for their efforts.Amrit and Yahya’s latest achievement recalls that period when athletes from the two neighbouring countries could compete together despite political tensions.
Can sport bridge the India-Pakistan divide?
