In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship and cross-border harmony, Pakistani boxer Shaheer Afridi presented a special gift to his Indian opponent after defeating him in a recent boxing match held in Thailand.
After winning the bout against an Indian Sikh boxer, Afridi gifted him a small container of soil from Kartarpur, the birthplace of Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The gesture quickly went viral on social media, with many hailing it as a symbol of peace and mutual respect amid rising regional tensions.
This act of goodwill comes at a time when India and Pakistan are experiencing heightened tensions, particularly following a recent incident in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which India has linked to Pakistan. Despite the political backdrop, Afridi’s gesture stood as a reminder that sports can bridge divides where diplomacy struggles.
In the now-viral video, the Indian Sikh boxer can be seen gratefully accepting and kissing the soil, visibly moved by the respectful offering. Afridi also stated, “Pakistanis want to live with honor, love, and peace.”
