Published: Nov 06, 2013, 08:35 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 06, 2013, 08:35 AM (IST)
In the year 2000, PT Usha was named the Indian sportswoman of the century and it was Sachin Tendulkar (above) who presented her the award © Getty Images
By PT Usha
I was humbled when he said in an interview in the mid-1990s that watching an Indian lady athlete excel at the world stage motivated him a great deal. I must say I was extremely touched by that compliment and became a Sachin fan right away! But I hate to admit it, that I haven’t followed Sachin Tendulkar‘s career as closely as the average Indian has.
As he prepares to call it a day, I want every Indian to sit down and think what he has done for the country. Imagine the pressure of representing your country for 24 years. Now multiply that by 100 because the country is India and the sport cricket! You’ll get a fair idea of what I am talking about.
I represented India from 1977 to 2000 and I coach international athletes now. I thus know what Sachin has gone through. To perform consistently at the top, you must have a lot of mental strength. You have got to be extremely tough. I can relate to him. Yes, Sachin is gifted, but talent alone doesn’t guarantee success. Look at the manner in which he has carried himself! We know of so many cricketers who are arrogant. They have, what we call, ‘head weight’. And more often than not, such sportspersons find themselves embroiled in controversies. Sachin has steered clear of all such negativity. He is absolutely clean.
Another quality I admire in Sachin is his humility. Cricket has always produced many champions, but given the amount of money and fame in the sport, they tend to go off track. I don’t want to take names, but you know what I am talking about. Sachin has never let success and adulation affect him.
I also take this opportunity to thank Sachin’s parents, his wife Anjali and the kids. Why? Because I know what it means to stay away from your loved ones for six-seven months a year, year after year. Also, when things aren’t going your way, you only have your family to fall back on. Lack of form, lack of confidence, media scrutiny, fans’ expectations — your family plays a huge role in helping you fight the demons.
Anybody and everybody love to criticise Sachin. But have you ever heard him react or lose his cool? He probably looks at the bright side of things, takes the criticism in his stride and strives to do better. That’s what he has done all these years. He has conditioned his mind to accept criticism. People will say what they have to. But sportspersons are human beings and they do feel hurt. So imagine what Sachin has gone through. Again, his family deserves credit for helping him.
Sachin will always be remembered for his service to cricket and, of course, nation building. But I hope he also does something to improve the state of affairs in other sports. Cricket is the pink of health. In other words, cricket and cricketers need no assistance. Sachin is a Rajya Sabha MP and he must help overcome the indifference towards ‘poorer’ sports. He should be the country’s unofficial sports minister. He should closely work with the various federations and address issues at the grassroots. Sachin is a legend now; if he helps other sports, he will become immortal.
Let me put it on record that I am ready to support him. I have given all my life to sports and games. I took to athletics at 13 and represented India at the Olympics at 16. My achievements are there for you to see. I am committed to athletics and I am doing my bit by mentoring the next generation. I will join Sachin in his fight to lift other sports.
Finally, I wish to share an anecdote. In the year 2000, I was named the Indian sportswoman of the century and it was Sachin who presented me the award. I cherish that moment and you will find that photograph occupies a pride of place at the Usha School of Athletics in my hometown.
Thank you, Sachin. Thanks for everything.
— As Told To Derek Abraham
Read More Here – Celebrities on Sachin Tendulkar
(PT Usha is the first Indian woman to reach the final of an Olympic event, where she lost the 400m hurdles bronze by 1/100ths of a second in the 1984 Los Angeles Games. During the 1985 Asian Track and Field Meet at Jakarta, Indonesia, Usha secured five gold medals — in the 100, 200, and 400 metre sprints, the 400m hurdles, and the 4x400m relay. She also earned a bronze medal in the 4x100m relay. This is the current record for most gold medals earned by a female in a single track meet. She has won a tally of four gold and six silver in all the Asian Games she participated.The above article first appeared DNA)
