Neeraj Chopra, Dinesh Karthik with other athletes celebrating India-UK Sports Week

The UK government on Monday launched the ‘India-UK Week of Sport’ to celebrate the “incredible living bridge between the two countries” in India’s 75th year of independence.

A series of on- and off-the-field interactions will highlight the “shared love of sport” and the opportunities it creates for the people of both countries from February 21 to 27.

The Week of Sport will showcase the best of sport, featuring Indian and British celebrities reflecting on their journey. It will include Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, cricketer Dinesh Karthik, para-badminton world champion Mansi Joshi, tennis legend Vijay Amritraj and India’s rugby captain Vahbiz Bharucha.

British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis said that there is an affinity for sports in Britain and India.

“Cricket, football, tennis, badminton and hockey bring us together. Sports week is a celebration of this bond and our living bridge. I look forward to more activities this year as India celebrates 75 years of independence and the UK its Hosts the final match of the Commonwealth Games and Test Series.

This week’s activity leads to the ‘India-UK Together 2022’ initiative, an official release said.

The joint initiative, led by the British Council and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, will begin later this year.

“It will celebrate the unique connections that can help shape the future of both countries through a diverse program of activities – highlighting the strong cultural ties between Britain and Indians in sport, education, the arts and much more. As two great democracies, both India and the UK share a vision to empower the next generation of leaders,” the release said.

21 February, 2022, 11:21 pm