I am not a politician :Tendulkar

Pune, May 1: Breaking his silence over the Rajya Sabha nomination, legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar today said he was honoured by the government’s offer, but made it clear that he would always remain a sportsman and not a politician.

‘It is an honour when the President nominates your name. I was excited to be nominated,’ Tendulkar said at a ceremony here where he was felicitated for making 100 international hundreds.

‘I am not a politician. I am a sportsman and will always remain one. I am not going to enter politics giving up cricket, which is my life. I will continue to play cricket.’ The 39-year-old batting ace acknowledged that he was honoured for his outstanding contribution to cricket and said he will try his best to improve the standard of all sports in the country.

‘I would definitely like to contribute in the field of sports because that is my expertise and I will need your help,’ he said.

‘I believe President (Pratibha Patil) has chosen me after recognising what I have done for over 22 years,’ he said referring to greats in other fields like singer Lata Mangeshkar and actor Prithviraj Kapoor.

The master blaster, who was also made Group Captain in the Indian Air Force in 2010, was nominated by the government for a seat in the upper house of Parliament last week alongside Bollywood actress Rekha and industrialist Anu Aga.  (UNI)