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[Blwe_torch]

Marriage muddle brought us closer: Sania Mirza

Friday, 16 Apr, 2010

The couple were married in Mirza’s hometown of Hyderabad in southeast India. —AFP/Handout Photo
Cricket

NEW DELHI: Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has said her relationship with her new husband, Pakistan cricket star Shoaib Malik, emerged stronger from controversy over claims he was already married.

Mirza and Malik married on Monday after a settlement was reached with the family of Ayesha Siddiqui, an Indian woman who said she wed the former Pakistan cricket captain in 2002.

“It was a great test for our relationship and for our families and they supported us wholeheartedly ... they were there for us,” Mirza said in comments broadcast Friday by the NDTV television network.

Malik denied marrying Siddiqui, but her family said he had agreed to sign divorce papers as part of a settlement that would allow his wedding with Mirza to go ahead.

Mirza said her husband had been honest with her throughout the saga, which transfixed millions in India and Pakistan for days.

“We did not even have one argument because we were honest and I think that is why our relationship got a lot, lot stronger,” the tennis player said.

“There were a lot of things that we learnt,” said Mirza, who is currently recovering from a wrist injury that has seen her world ranking slip from 27 in 2007 to 89.

“We learned that through thick or thin... we will stick to each other and we weren’t even husband and wife then and today we are,” she added.

The couple were married in Mirza’s hometown of Hyderabad in southeast India.

Mirza has been a celebrity in India since 2005 when, aged 18, she became the first Indian woman to win a WTA Tour title.

Malik, who is serving a one-year ban on charges of indiscipline during Pakistan’s tour of Australia and New Zealand, said Mirza’s support had helped him through the dispute.

“Our parents also supported us and that is why we are here,” he said.

Malik had admitted beginning a telephone relationship with Siddiqui in 2001 after she sent him photographs – but said he later believed the pictures were of another woman.

Siddqui then lodged a complaint with police in Hyderabad, prompting officers to quiz Malik over the muddle and confiscate his passport.

Muslim elders in Hyderabad, where Siddiqui also lives, negotiated the settlement which allowed the marriage to go ahead.

“It is all in the past and now we are happy,” said Mirza.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/sport/07-marriage-muddle-brought-us-closer-sania-mirza-ha-06

[Blwe_torch]

Shoaib and Sania land in Pakistan

Thursday, 22 Apr, 2010

Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza look at each other during a Sangeet ceremony in Hyderabad, India.—AP
Sport


KARACHI: Newlywed and hailed as cross-border peace ambassadors, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik arrived in Pakistan on Thursday to a frenzied reception.

Camera bulbs flashed and fans thronged to get a glimpse of the lovebirds as they landed at Karachi airport, their first visit here after their April 12 wedding that bridged the two nations' bitter sporting and political divide.

The pair are in Pakistan for a week of celebrations -- after a tough engagement and media frenzy that saw Muslim elders called in to arrange a divorce for Malik from a wife he long-denied ever having.

Hundreds of fans gathered outside Jinnah International Airport, carrying placards reading: “Welcome to Pakistan's daughter-in-law”.

“I am very happy for both of them and I hope their marriage helps build relations between the two countries,” said well-wisher Faqir Khan, a waiter.

Mirza, in sunglasses, red trousers and a green tunic, grasped the hand of her new husband, who was wearing blue jeans and a green t-shirt.

The couple were welcomed by provincial sports minister Mohammad Ali Shah and other local government officials, but did not speak to reporters.

“I am both disappointed and happy,” said labourer and sports fan Ijaz Ahmad. “I'm disappointed because I could not see a glimpse of them, but I wish them a happy future and I am very happy that they both got married.”

Family members said the couple will later Thursday travel to Islamabad to arrange Mirza's visa. The Indian tennis star will apply for a visa to Sialkot, Malik's hometown, where a reception is planned for April 25.

Another reception will be held in the eastern city Lahore two days later, family sources said. Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is also expected to hold a reception in the couple's honour later this month.

Pakistan's minister for population and welfare Ferdous Ashiq Awan, who also attended the wedding reception in India, said the marriage has spurred diplomacy between the two nations, allowing her to meet her Indian counterpart.—AFP

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/cricket/12-shoaib+and+sania+land+in+pakistan--bi-01

[Blwe_torch]

Sania Mirza, Shoaib Malik mobbed on arrival in Pakistan


Karachi: Chaos marked Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and her Pakistani cricketer husband Shoaib Malik's arrival in the country as star-struck passengers and airport staff mobbed the newly-weds in Karachi today.

Sania and Shoaib, who tied the knot on April 12 in Hyderabad, arrived at the Jinnah international airport in Karachi from Mumbai.

The couple is due to fly to Islamabad this evening to attend receptions by Pakistan prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani and the Indian high commission.

"There is lot of mismanagement here even inside the terminal building of the international arrival," a harried passenger, who came on the same flight as the couple, said.

Sania and Shoaib were mobbed by employees of the airlines and other people inside the terminal building and it took them considerable time to get used to the situation.

"Like in Bollywood movies the security here also has come late," Sania, wearing a pink kurti and jeans and sporting sunglasses, was quoted as saying on a television channel.

The couple were accompanied by Sania's mother Naseema.

Another channel said Sania had expressed her happiness at finally being in Pakistan, the home of her in-laws.

Sindh minister for sports Dr Muhammad Ali Shah was the only dignitary to be able to meet the couple properly and he wasted no time in presenting them with the traditional Sindhi ajrak, cap and a bouquet.

"It is great to have Sania in Pakistan finally and they will be state-level guests of the government," Shah said.

Heavy crowds gathered outside the airport terminal to catch a glimpse of the couple but were kept waiting as Shoaib and Sania were brought out from the international lounge to the domestic lounge amid heavy security.

"We had to call in security to control things because there was too much rush and Shoaib and Sania were a bit bewildered by the rush they saw on their arrival," an airport security force officer said. Security also stopped the large media contingent from getting close to the couple.

http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3849714

[ganavk]

You need another VISA to visit Sialkot ? Is it not int he same country ?

[khanss65]

Marriage is always a very important decision of life.Few days ago Sania Mirza got married with shaib malik.It a nice couple .


 

[dhruvdeepak]

this is a hilarious comment from sania. as if her long-standing relationship with malik has been through so many trials and tribulations for them to now enjoy a deep sense of understanding and belief in each other.

what a joke! she is so pseudo.

[dextrous]

this is a hilarious comment from sania. as if her long-standing relationship with malik has been through so many trials and tribulations for them to now enjoy a deep sense of understanding and belief in each other.

what a joke! she is so pseudo.

some people are meant to be

[Cover Point]

You need another VISA to visit Sialkot ? Is it not int he same country ?

just as some people need a different visa/stamp to visit Kashmir in India.

[ganavk]

You need another VISA to visit Sialkot ? Is it not int he same country ?

just as some people need a different visa/stamp to visit Kashmir in India.

news to me. Do Indian passport holders need different VISA/stamp to visit Kashmir. ?

[Blwe_torch]

You need another VISA to visit Sialkot ? Is it not int he same country ?

just as some people need a different visa/stamp to visit Kashmir in India.

news to me. Do Indian passport holders need different VISA/stamp to visit Kashmir. ?

if u visit Pak...u will get city based visas only. you cannot venture out on your own.
the same thing works for Pakistanis too, while visiting India.

[dhruvdeepak]

You need another VISA to visit Sialkot ? Is it not int he same country ?

just as some people need a different visa/stamp to visit Kashmir in India.

news to me. Do Indian passport holders need different VISA/stamp to visit Kashmir. ?

if u visit Pak...u will get city based visas only. you cannot venture out on your own.
the same thing works for Pakistanis too, while visiting India.

and i think regular reporting to the nearest police station is required

[Cover Point]

You need another VISA to visit Sialkot ? Is it not int he same country ?

just as some people need a different visa/stamp to visit Kashmir in India.

news to me. Do Indian passport holders need different VISA/stamp to visit Kashmir. ?

nopes. some foreigners do