The 35 National Games to be held in seven cities in the State early next year will have cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar as its goodwill ambassador.
The idea was mooted by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy during his meeting with Mr. Tendulkar here on Tuesday and responding to it, the cricketer was quick to nod his approval.
Making a mention of this, Mr. Tendulkar said, “as a Member of Parliament, I have already given my vision on how to improve Indian sport to the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development. And now, I plan to do a follow up on that. We need to work collectively to help our country emerge as a sporting power.”
“Today, the Chief Minister has requested me to be the goodwill ambassador of the National Games to be held in Kerala next year. I am honoured by the offer made to me and I have accepted it wholeheartedly as it would help ensure the overall growth of Indian sport,” he said.
Mr. Chandy also announced that the Kochi franchise of the Indian Super League, Kerala Blasters Football Club, would provide systematic training to 1,25,000 children, studying in schools and colleges, as part of its commitment to Kerala football.
“A detailed proposal regarding this will be prepared shortly in consultation with the Kerala Football Association and other stakeholders,” he said.
