Dear Sachin,
Over the last two decades, you have thrilled and made us proud to no small extent. You have been one of our countries’ most precious gems and we have never tired of cheering you on.
As you’ve comfortably slipped into retired life, we haven’t really still come to terms with you not showing up on your television screens. As you might have noticed, when you picked up the bat again and played in far away America, we realised that old habits really do die hard – we continued to stay awake at odd hours just to catch a glimpse of that cover drive.
Yet, perhaps even you will agree that with great power does indeed come great responsibility. As an Indian who is respected and loved beyond measure, you have a lot of power. Power to influence, power to bring change. But for some reason, you have not really felt like recognising that. You are a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament but you only asked your first question after three years.
Surely you would agree that there is a lot wrong in the state of affairs in India. And while maybe the world of sordid politics isn’t something you would want to get into (and we completely understand that), we would love to see you speak out against some of the illnesses that ail Indian sports.
The nation hangs on to every word you say. So imagine the impact you would have if you spoke out, perhaps on.:
The plight of our sports associations It's obvious that sports associations in India are mostly the fiefdom of our political masters. These associations are embroiled in infighting and quite a few have been derecognised. Sportspersons have repeatedly spoken out on the lack of support and funding they receive.
This is where you could come in. Think about it, Sachin, if you even mention the issue inside Parliament, you can be rest assured that the entire nation will speak about it. Furious investigations will be launched in the media and we may find even more wrongdoing than what is out presently. The public might even sit up and start caring and demanding an answer. But at least, it will be in the public gaze, right?
There needs to be a shake-up somewhere. And who better than you to take up the cudgels?
The mess in Indian football Sure, you played a stellar role in the Indian Premier League for your beloved Mumbai Indians and own a club in the Indian Super League but would you be willing to upset the apple cart? We are sure that you have not been immune to the various controversies surrounding the ISL and how I-League clubs are dying. You were probably a fan of developing Indian football which is you bought the Kerala franchise in the first place but how about showing some interest in the much-maligned i-League as well? Sure, it doesn’t have the glamour and riches of the ISL, but it is India’s professional league with some of the country's oldest clubs. Kerala doesn’t even have a team in the i-League and as owner of the Kerala ISL franchise, doesn’t that strike you as a little odd?
Mentorship programmes for youngsters Former badminton legends like Pullela Gopichand and Prakash Padukone have their own academies. A lot of the young badminton talent coming through in India currently have benefitted from going through their tutelage. Further home, we’re sure that you’ve seen your own team-mate Rahul Dravid take over the coach of the U19 cricket team. And from the reports coming out, it looks like he’s doing a fabulous job.
Several times over your long and distinguished career, you have mentioned the impact your coach Ramakant Achrekar had on you. Now that you have retired, how about returning the favour, Sachin? You would know as anyone else that young sportspersons in this country face a lot of hurdles. How about running your own mentorship program and trying to make a difference in your own small way?
There is no better person than you who knows about the pitfalls of entrusting fame on young shoulders. Maybe, you could think about taking a Prithvi Shaw or Sarfaraz Khan under your wings so they don’t lose their way?
Of course, you have every right to be annoyed and think that you’ve done your job for the last twenty or so years and so you’re entitled to a bit of rest. And of course, you are, no one will ever begrudge you. But then again, you’ve always spoken a lot about how much love this country has given you. How about giving back some of that love back in your own special manner?
Happy New Year, Little Master!
Sincerely,
Indian sports fans
Over the last two decades, you have thrilled and made us proud to no small extent. You have been one of our countries’ most precious gems and we have never tired of cheering you on.
As you’ve comfortably slipped into retired life, we haven’t really still come to terms with you not showing up on your television screens. As you might have noticed, when you picked up the bat again and played in far away America, we realised that old habits really do die hard – we continued to stay awake at odd hours just to catch a glimpse of that cover drive.
Yet, perhaps even you will agree that with great power does indeed come great responsibility. As an Indian who is respected and loved beyond measure, you have a lot of power. Power to influence, power to bring change. But for some reason, you have not really felt like recognising that. You are a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament but you only asked your first question after three years.
Surely you would agree that there is a lot wrong in the state of affairs in India. And while maybe the world of sordid politics isn’t something you would want to get into (and we completely understand that), we would love to see you speak out against some of the illnesses that ail Indian sports.
The nation hangs on to every word you say. So imagine the impact you would have if you spoke out, perhaps on.:
The plight of our sports associations It's obvious that sports associations in India are mostly the fiefdom of our political masters. These associations are embroiled in infighting and quite a few have been derecognised. Sportspersons have repeatedly spoken out on the lack of support and funding they receive.
This is where you could come in. Think about it, Sachin, if you even mention the issue inside Parliament, you can be rest assured that the entire nation will speak about it. Furious investigations will be launched in the media and we may find even more wrongdoing than what is out presently. The public might even sit up and start caring and demanding an answer. But at least, it will be in the public gaze, right?
There needs to be a shake-up somewhere. And who better than you to take up the cudgels?
The mess in Indian football Sure, you played a stellar role in the Indian Premier League for your beloved Mumbai Indians and own a club in the Indian Super League but would you be willing to upset the apple cart? We are sure that you have not been immune to the various controversies surrounding the ISL and how I-League clubs are dying. You were probably a fan of developing Indian football which is you bought the Kerala franchise in the first place but how about showing some interest in the much-maligned i-League as well? Sure, it doesn’t have the glamour and riches of the ISL, but it is India’s professional league with some of the country's oldest clubs. Kerala doesn’t even have a team in the i-League and as owner of the Kerala ISL franchise, doesn’t that strike you as a little odd?
Mentorship programmes for youngsters Former badminton legends like Pullela Gopichand and Prakash Padukone have their own academies. A lot of the young badminton talent coming through in India currently have benefitted from going through their tutelage. Further home, we’re sure that you’ve seen your own team-mate Rahul Dravid take over the coach of the U19 cricket team. And from the reports coming out, it looks like he’s doing a fabulous job.
Several times over your long and distinguished career, you have mentioned the impact your coach Ramakant Achrekar had on you. Now that you have retired, how about returning the favour, Sachin? You would know as anyone else that young sportspersons in this country face a lot of hurdles. How about running your own mentorship program and trying to make a difference in your own small way?
There is no better person than you who knows about the pitfalls of entrusting fame on young shoulders. Maybe, you could think about taking a Prithvi Shaw or Sarfaraz Khan under your wings so they don’t lose their way?
Of course, you have every right to be annoyed and think that you’ve done your job for the last twenty or so years and so you’re entitled to a bit of rest. And of course, you are, no one will ever begrudge you. But then again, you’ve always spoken a lot about how much love this country has given you. How about giving back some of that love back in your own special manner?
Happy New Year, Little Master!
Sincerely,
Indian sports fans
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