Sachin’s new role: Sports frat reacts

‘Not a photogenic job; you need to deliver’ Bishen Singh Bedi, former cricketer:
I’m not too sure if this is the right time for Sachin to take up such a responsibility. I’m also not sure what he is going to do there (in the Parliament) as he has only played cricket for more than 20 years. It’s not a photogenic job, one has to deliver. So, I don’t know if he is ready yet.Also, if Sachin can be an RS member, so can Prakash Padukone and Milkha Singh. But they are not chosen because cricket gets 90 per cent attention in our country. I firmly believe that other sportspersons should get the same treatment. Sachin is my personal hero, but Padukone and Singh also deserve much more.
‘It’s going to be a struggle’ Saurav Ghosal, squash player
Even though Sachin Tendulkar has done a lot for the country, I’m not sure how much time he’d be able to give to the Rajya Sabha. It’s going to be a struggle for him. But considering he is Sachin, he could even prove us wrong. Also, since he plays a game which is akin to religion in India, his name would add gloss to the nomination. But I think it would be great if people from other sports also get similar opportunities.
'Why not Leander Paes’ Akhil Kumar, boxer
It’s good to see someone from our sports fraternity getting nominated to the Rajya Sabha. It would help the cause of Indian sports as a whole. It is but obvious that a cricketer will be preferred over others. I’d like to see people from other sports also getting such opportunities. Sachin’s name is even being considered for the Bharat Ratna. If achievement is the only criterion, then why are Leander Paes, Vishwanathan Anand or Abhinav Bindra not being considered? I’m not trying to say that Sachin shouldn’t be given the honour, but other people too should be considered.
‘This is sheer discrimination’ Rajpal Singh, Captain of the Indian hockey team
My first reaction was, ‘nice’. I don’t know about his role from hereon, but I do hope that as a member of the RS, he understands and does something for sports. And it’s a known fact that cricketers are given priority in everything in our country. Our government takes great pride in honouring cricketers because they feel honoured in doing so. This is sheer discrimination.