Brown favours Tendulkar for Knighthood
Prime Minister Gordon Brown clearly favoured a case for honouring sporting great Sachin Tendulkar with British titles such as the knighthood.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who enthusiastically congratulated the Indian cricket team for its victory over Australia, clearly favoured a case for honouring sporting great Sachin Tendulkar with British titles such as the knighthood.
Mr Brown who said that it was not for him to take such a decision said that there is a “strong case” for those who make a contribution to the world of sports in a direct reference to Sachin Tendulkar.
In between weighty subjects like trade and investment, climate change and terrorism, Mr Brown, who slipped in a reference to India’s victory over Australia, said, “Sachin Tendulkar is one of the great cricketers...it is not for me to decide honours which is a matter for the independent honours committee.”
But he added: “I’m sure just as people recognise Don Bradman and others who were awarded the honours, there is a strong case for those who make a huge contribution to the world of sports” he added in a clear endorsement of support for Tendulkar getting such an honour.
In an earlier interaction Mr Brown was quoted as saying that at one time top cricketers from the Commonwealth countries were recognised by the British people through its honours system. He said that greats such as Sachin Tendulkar should be considered for traditional British honours like the knighthood.
“It used to be the case that great cricketers from the Commonwealth would be recognised by the British people through our honoured system—we think of Sir Don Bradman or Sir Gary Sobers,” Mr Brown said.
“But I believe it was a good tradition to celebrate the achievements of the great Commonwealth cricketers — it shows we are good sports and I would like to see some of the great players of the modern era — like Sachin Tendulkar — proposed for honourary awards — so the British nation can salute their achievements in one of our national sports,” Mr Brown said.
“Obviously, these are issues for the independent honoured committee, but I hope they will consider it,” he said.
Mr Brown who said that it was not for him to take such a decision said that there is a “strong case” for those who make a contribution to the world of sports in a direct reference to Sachin Tendulkar.
In between weighty subjects like trade and investment, climate change and terrorism, Mr Brown, who slipped in a reference to India’s victory over Australia, said, “Sachin Tendulkar is one of the great cricketers...it is not for me to decide honours which is a matter for the independent honours committee.”
But he added: “I’m sure just as people recognise Don Bradman and others who were awarded the honours, there is a strong case for those who make a huge contribution to the world of sports” he added in a clear endorsement of support for Tendulkar getting such an honour.
In an earlier interaction Mr Brown was quoted as saying that at one time top cricketers from the Commonwealth countries were recognised by the British people through its honours system. He said that greats such as Sachin Tendulkar should be considered for traditional British honours like the knighthood.
“It used to be the case that great cricketers from the Commonwealth would be recognised by the British people through our honoured system—we think of Sir Don Bradman or Sir Gary Sobers,” Mr Brown said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“But I believe it was a good tradition to celebrate the achievements of the great Commonwealth cricketers — it shows we are good sports and I would like to see some of the great players of the modern era — like Sachin Tendulkar — proposed for honourary awards — so the British nation can salute their achievements in one of our national sports,” Mr Brown said.
“Obviously, these are issues for the independent honoured committee, but I hope they will consider it,” he said.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
