Reacting to Maharashtra Hockey Association's stern stand on her offer to help Indian hockey, Pakistan-born singer Salma Agha insists she is Indian at heart

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Actor and singer Salma Agha with the Indian hockey team players at the Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune yesterday. PIC/ANIL NAIK </td></tr></tbody></table>When Pakistan-born singer Salma Agha came to Balewadi Stadium to show her support for the Indian hockey team, one would have thought things are getting better. 
But the singer's sporting gesture has given way to a new controversy. The Maharashtra Hockey Association (MHA) has said that Hockey India should not accept any financial help from Agha because of her Pakistani roots. Hockey India however is undecided on the issue.
MHA secretary Ikram Khan told MiD DAY that MHA was against Hockey India accepting any fund from Agha as she was not an Indian and has a Pakistan connection. "If she wants to help out then let her do it in Pakistan where hockey is in worse shape," Khan said.
Salma had earlier said that she was planning to perform in concerts across the country to raise money for the Indian hockey players who were boycotting the national camp to protest non-payment of their dues.
Yesterday, she came and shook hands with the players and sang the victory song Chak De! India, and promised to do her best to raise funds for the Indian team.
Reacting to MHA secretary Khan's outburst, Agha said: "Who is he to question my love for India? In my opinion, a true Indian is one whose heart is Indian, whose thought is Indian and who loves the country. In my case, my father, mother and grandfathers are Indian. Also, I am not a Pakistani citizen right now. I hold a British passport and I stay in London. 
"I have immense love for India because this country has made me what I am. I came to express my solidarity to the Indian hockey players as a token of gratitude for India."
The hockey players requested her to sing songs for them. She sang few lines of her ghazal Dil Ke Armaan Ansuon me beh gaye and the victory song Chak De! India.
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Reacting to Maharashtra Hockey Association's stern stand on her offer to help Indian hockey, Pakistan-born singer Salma Agha insists she is Indian at heart

Salma Agha's support to India hockey players' raises a controversy

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Salma Agha's support to India hockey players' raises a controversy

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