Sachin Tendulkar has said that as an MP he was in a better position not only to help cricket but also other sports.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who took oath Monday as a Rajya Sabha member, vowed to help other sports as well and said he would be liked to remembered as one who contributed to the country and not just cricket statistics.
Speaking after taking oath as a nominated member, Tendulkar told reporters that he might face obstacles but hoped to carry on with help from fellow parliamentarians.
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u00a0"In the last 22 years of my international career, cricket has given me so much. I also wanted to give something back to cricket in the latter half of my life," Tendulkar said.u00a0
Sachin Tendulkar leaves Parliament after taking oath as Rajya Sabha member in New Delhi on Monday.
"Today with the nomination, . It means a lot to me. I believe there will be a few obstacles along the way, and I will need (help) from my fellow parliamentarians, the administrators, media and our countrymen. Together we can make a lot of changes," he added.
The batting maestro said he would like to be remembered as somebody who contributed to all sports in India "rather than just cricket statistics. That would be fantastic".
Asked if he will find enough time for parliament, Tendulakar made it clear that his first priority would be cricket. "I did not go to anyone asking to be a Rajya Sabha member. It's an honour and I accept that with respect. But I am here because of my cricket. I can't take my focus away from cricket because that is where it all started for me."
Tendulkar also said that he will focus on his game, and as and when he gets time he would contribute not just for cricket but for other sports as well.
"At this moment my focus will be on cricket, and as and when, there is time in between, I will look at other things, and see how I can help and bring in whatever changes.... not only cricket but all other sports."
Earlier, 39-year-old Tendulkar took oath as Member of the Rajya Sabha in the presence of Chairman Hamid Ansari and Union Ministers Rajiv Shukla, Harish Rawat and V Narayanasamy and his wife Anjali.
A number of Parliament staffers took out their mobile phones to capture a glimpse of the cricketer. Asked whether Tendulkar's oath was special, Ansari said, "All oaths are the same. All members are same."u00a0
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