Sania-Shoaib host glitzy Hyderabad reception

HYDERABAD: Tennis, they say, is all about coordination of one kind or another. To say the least, Indian star Sania Mirza and her Pakistani groom Shoaib Malik were wonderfully coordinated on the day — colour, cast, cut.

In the last of her wedding celebrations in India, Sania swept into the regal splendour of the reception hall on Thursday in a red-and-gold khara dupatta set against cream background. The elaborate costume is traditionally worn by Hyderabadi Muslim brides. The groom's cream sherwani worked as a fair set piece with Sania's glittering get-up.

The guest list at Taj Krishna grand ballroom and lawns, where the reception was held, had a fair mix of politicians like TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu, corporate heavyweight Subrata Roy, the who's who of Hyderabad society and friends from the sporting community, including Davis Cuppers, Jaideep Mukherjea and Akhtar Ali and Pak cricketer Sohail Tanveer. Pakistan federal minister for population and welfare Firdious Ashiq Awan came bearing several gifts, one of which was a crown studded with jewels. The minister greeted Sania and put the crown on her head.

Congratulatory messages from netas including the Prime Minister, sportsmen and celebrities poured in from India and around the world.

The thrust of the cuisine was Hyderabadi, with some tasteful additions like a variety of salad trays and several vegetarian options. Sania and Shoaib or Shoania as the couple have come to be called, are expected to leave for Pakistan late next week. The reception will be held in Lahore. Asked what would Sania's welcome be like in Pakistan, she said: "You wait and see how we welcome our bahu."

Shoaib said: "The last few days have been peaceful, more so after the storm after my arrival in India. I'm happier now than I have ever been in my life. I'm looking forward to introducing Sania to my people at our reception in Pakistan.

Sania, who competed in Pakistan as a junior, said: "I'm looking forward to visit Pakistan. Shoaib has told me a lot about Pakistan as I tell him a lot about India."

Sania will return to India by the end of the month as she has prior commitments to keep. Shoaib and Sania have planned their honeymoon to the Maldives, but are still looking for time to fit it into their schedule.