sportsmanship alive

During the match, India was leading Pakistan, and with just eight minutes left to play, Pakistan was pressing for an equalizer. Bilal Aleem of Pakistan attempted to cross the ball into the Indian circle. However, the ball inadvertently hit Birender Lakra, an Indian defender, and went out of play. Pakistan immediately appealed for a penalty corner, claiming that the ball had hit Lakra's leg, which would have been a significant advantage for them. If Pakistan had won this particular match, they would have secured the title after a gap of five years, and it would have been a crucial moment in their hockey history.

Given the high stakes of the game and the history between the two teams, Lakra could have chosen to let Pakistan use up their last referral, potentially delaying the game and disrupting Pakistan's momentum. However, what happened next showcased the true sportsmanship of Birender Lakra. He approached the referee and told him, "It is a penalty corner, please don't use up their last referral, your position was such that you might have missed it." In essence, Lakra admitted that the ball had indeed hit his leg, acknowledging the fair decision that should be made. He chose to uphold the principles of fair play and honesty rather than attempting to gain an advantage for his team.

This act of integrity was acknowledged not only by the referee but also by the Pakistan coach and players, who thanked Lakra for his gesture and embraced the spirit of sportsmanship in the heat of the game.