Accepting the Cricket Club of India’s honorary life membership here on Sunday, Wimbledon and US Open doubles champion Sania Mirza spoke of her family’s huge cricket connect, referring to the fact that she is related to former India captain, the late Ghulam Ahmed, and is married to Pakistan player Shoaib Malik.
“Everyone in my family plays cricket. So cricket is in my blood. When I was very young, I have played a few (tennis) tournaments at the CCI courts, and I would want to come here again to practice, hit a few balls and watch some cricket as well,” said Sania, hours before leaving for China for the Guangzhou International Women’s Open tennis tournament.
The 28-year-old said pride and inspiration to play for the country comes naturally to her. “I hope that it will remain forever,” she said.“I think one has to keep changing one’s goals in life. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. I did not think I would become a top-30 player in singles; it was a dream that did happen. There are some dreams that we achieve and some we don’t. This must be the biggest dream and the biggest honour for anyone to be in the position I am in.”
CCI president Kekoo Nicholson presented Sania with the club’s membership card and mementos.
