Legendary footballer I M Vijayan on Friday urged the country's youngsters to "get addicted to football, not to drugs". The former captain, in his message on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, said instead of seeking a quick solution through drugs, the youngsters should head to the football ground. "It helps you maintain a biological clock. You have a healthy appetite, maintain an 8-hour sleep cycle which is important to stay fit. Get addicted to football, not drugs," Vijayan said in a release from All India Football Federation.

"Drugs can never be a solution, rather it's a problem rooted deeper. It destroys the lives of everyone around the addicted person. The after-effects are devastating," said Vijayan who was recently recommended for the Padma Shri by the AIFF. Former India midfielder Renedy Singh said drugs only push a person "to a black hole of grave crisis" while sports provides "positivity and energy".