Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has called on the country to wholeheartedly support the Indian athletes participating in the Tokyo Paralympics and termed them as “real-life heroes”. Games start on Tuesday.
“It is Paralympics time and I would like to appeal to all Indians to leave behind our contingent of 54 athletes in Tokyo,” Tendulkar said in a statement on Monday.
According to Tendulkar, the journey of para athletes is an “eye-opener” for the common man about what one can do with passion and determination.
“I have always believed that these women and men are not athletes with special abilities. Rather, they are women and men with extraordinary abilities who are real-life heroes to each of us.
The legendary batsman who holds many records said, “Her journey shows what women and men can do with passion, commitment and determination and serves as an inspiration to all of us.”
He said it is important to celebrate every athlete who will compete in the Paralympics, regardless of the outcome.
“I have always believed that if we can celebrate our Paralympic athletes the same way we celebrate our Olympic heroes and our cricketers, we can become a better society.
“And it is not just about medal winners. Not every athlete out of 54 participating in the Paralympics will win a medal.
“However, it is important that we celebrate all of them. We need to celebrate the process and not just the result. Only then will there be a real change in our game.”
Tendulkar also expressed hope that the country will win more medals this time.
“I am reading that we can win more than 10 medals this time. I hope we win more. We won four medals in Rio. If it goes up to 10 it is a significant increase that we should all celebrate.
“Having said that I will watch each and every athlete with equal interest whether they reach the podium or not. Each of them are great role models and watching them perform for India and do all this for the tricolor country in itself. To have a great sense of satisfaction.”
He was also happy to see the support extended by the government and corporate houses to the para athletes.
“I am delighted to see India enter the Paralympics this year, a very welcome initiative working in partnership with the government and corporates and on their own in various aspects of supporting our sportspersons are all steps in the right direction ,” They said. signed off.
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