Sachin Tendulkar says cricket comes first
Batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar said Tuesday he was “honoured” to
be nominated to India's parliament but stressed that cricket would
remain his priority as long as he keeps playing. Last week, Tendulkar
was offered one of the 12 seats in the upper house of parliament that
are reserved for those who have distinguished themselves in various
fields such as the arts, sciences or social services.
“When you get nominated because of your contribution in your field,
it's an honour. I was excited to be nominated,” Tendulkar, 39, told a
televised press event in Pune in western India.
“I don't think I will stop (playing) cricket and go straight into
politics. I will keep playing cricket. Cricket is my life and will
always be,” he added.
Tendulkar has not formally accepted his nomination, but such honours
are rarely handed out without the prior agreement of the nominee.
It is unclear exactly when Tendulkar might take up his seat. The
“Little Master's” nomination has raised eyebrows in India, with
questions over how the cricketer, who has previously steered clear of
politics, could balance his sporting commitments with his duties as an
MP.
Some former players have also wondered if the batsman may lose his
universal popularity in India as the proposal to nominate him came from
the ruling Congress party.
Opposition parties were quick to criticise the move as an attempt by
the beleaguered government to distract attention from its difficulties
over a series of graft scandals and accusations of policy paralysis.
“What is Tendulkar going to do in the Rajya Sabha? He has no scope
there,” Bal Thackeray, head of the regional Shiv Sena party, told
reporters in Mumbai.
Tendulkar, however, stressed that his nomination had nothing to do
with politics. “I have played cricket for 22 and a half years. And I
understand that I was nominated because of this reason. I am not a
politician,” he said.
AFP
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