Sidhu Moose Wala And Friendship Of Indo-Pak Weightlifers.
We are always subjected to news of hatred and animosity between India and Pakistan particularly by the media on both sides.
However, in these times sports and art from both countries unites people and dispels the notion of hate between the two neighbours. Whether it was Virat Kohli graciously hugging Mohammad Rizwan after Pakistan’s win in the T20 World Cup or Coke Studio’s ‘Pasoori‘, these stories of heart warming moments are much needed.
One such moment has emerged at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.
Competing in the 109kg-plus weightlifting event, Pakistan’s Muhammad Nooh Dastgir Butt and India’s Gurdeep Singh both finished on the podium, winning gold and bronze respectively.
While the competition was on both the weightlifters competed ferociously but once the event ended, they made sure that they became part of each other’s celebration, just like true friends.
Butt and Singh have been competing against each other since junior days and over the years they have become good friends.
They also have the same taste in music. Their favourite artist is the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala and after their victory on Thursday (Aug 05), they both partied listening to his famous tracks late into the night, sharing their joy with each other.
“Gurdeep and I have been very good friends. After the gold, I first congratulated Gurdeep and later we did a small celebration where we danced to Moosewala’s songs,” Butt told The Indian Express, reflecting on his friendship with his Indian counterpart.
The clip of the two congratulating each other right after the medal confirmations went viral on social media. Later, Nooh revealed how they partied together while dancing to the late Sidhu Moosewala’s songs.
Nooh revealed he texted Gurdeep right after watching the news of Moosewala’s death. “When I saw the news of Sidhu Moosewala’s death, I messaged Gurdeep to confirm. At my home gym, where I train, I played songs like Jatt Da Muqabla and the recently released Song 295 to set the tempo for my training,” he said.
Gurdeep said conversing in Punjabi has helped them strengthen their freidnship. “Nooh and I first met in junior championships six years ago and would share tips about diet. Conversing in Punjabi obviously helped our friendship,” he said.
Nooh, who broke all three Games record — 173 in snatch, 232 in clean and jerk and the aggregate, termed India’s Mirabai Chani as an ‘inspiration’.
Sidhu Moose Wala And Friendship Of Indo-Pak Weightlifers