Indian sporting stars who dabbled in politics

In a rustic of billions, solely the choose few will get to characterize the nation at international sporting occasions. These athletes rise and shine above the remainder with their superior work ethic and self-discipline. For generations now, fellow Indians have seemed as much as these athletes as a supply of inspiration. Be it Major Dhyan Chand, The Wizard who introduced India laurels in hockey at a number of Olympics, or Neeraj Chopra, who is making hundreds of thousands of Indians consider in an encore on the upcoming Paris Olympics, the non-public glories of those stars all the time handle to uplift the nation. While most athletes retire and search for different careers, some enterprise into politics, leveraging their reputation to win votes. Here is a listing of 10 Indian athletes who discovered their ft in politics after bidding adieu to their sporting careers. Some amongst them are at the moment contesting the continuing normal polls.

Dilip Tirkey: The former captain of the Indian subject hockey staff is the one participant in the world to show up for his nation in 400 worldwide matches, ending with 412 caps. Tirkey, certainly one of India’s mainstays throughout the 2000s, is an in a position administrator now. He is at the moment the President of Hockey India, the game’s administrative physique in the nation. The Padma Shri awardee can also be a member of Odisha’s incumbent BJD. Tirkey, who joined the political get together in 2012, is dealing with competitors from ex-Union Tribal Affairs Minister and BJP candidate Jual Oram in the Sundargarh Lok Sabha seat.

Md Azharuddin: After ending his controversy-marred cricket profession, former India captain Md Azharuddin began his political journey by becoming a member of the Indian National Congress in 2009. While his begin was triumphant, profitable the final elections from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh in 2009, he didn’t match his feat in the 2014 elections. He had additionally contested the Telangana Legislative Assembly election in 2023 from Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency, however misplaced to Bharat Rashtra Samithi candidate Maganti Gopinath.

Navjot Singh Sidhu: Known for his flamboyance with the bat, ex-Indian cricketer Sidhu, who seldom spoke throughout his taking part in days, made a whole transformation as a sharp-tongued commentator and cricket count on, following his retirement. Soon, different gigs adopted, and he additionally featured as a decide in a long-running comedy actuality present. Sidhu used his reward of the gab to good impact and joined politics. Like a seasoned politician, Sidhu has managed to be in the thick of motion, working stints in each the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress. He additionally teased working with the Aam Aadmi Party just a few years in the past. Currently, he’s working as an professional in the continuing IPL.

Kirti Azad: One of the heroes in India’s superb World Cup win in 1983 below the management of cricket icon Kapil Dev, Kirti Azad’s political profession began in 1990 with the BJP. He adopted in the footsteps of his father, former Chief Minister of Bihar Bhagwat Jha Azad. Kirti has had affiliations with the BJP, Congress and is at the moment a contestant in the continuing normal elections, as a candidate of the West Bengal-based TMC get together.

Prasun Banerjee: This former Indian National staff footballer is now an MP in the Lok Sabha from Howrah, West Bengal. Banerjee is a member of the TMC political get together.

Gautam Gambhir: If Kapil Dev gave India and Indians a style of worldwide success, Mahendra Singh Dhoni took it to a brand new degree with a number of wins, together with the T20 World Cup victory in the inaugural version in 2007 and the 50-over World Cup triumph in 2011. In each the wins, if there’s one man who lit up the ultimate, it was Gautam Gambhir. His high quality half-century gave India a combating complete, serving to the staff beat arch-rivals Pakistan in 2007 after which a well-crafted 97 off 122 balls on the Wankhede Stadium in 2011 towards Sri Lanka helped Dhoni and his males elevate the silverware. Gambhir entered politics in 2019, contesting the final polls with a BJP ticket. He gained it by practically 700,000 votes. However, Gambhir departed from politics earlier this yr.

Laxmi Ratan Shukla: A cricket icon in India’s home circle, the previous Bengal skipper is a member of the TMC. Shukla had served because the Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports in the West Bengal cupboard.

Manoj Tiwary: Much like his Bengal staff colleague, Manoj Tiwary, former Indian National Cricket Team participant, served as MOS of State for Youth Services and Sports in the state. Tiwary is a TMC get together member.

Vijender Singh: The poster boy of boxing in India, Singh is the primary pugilist to win a medal for the nation on the Olympics, clinching a bronze medal on the 2008 Beijing Olympics. While his political journey began with the Congress, he’s at the moment a BJP member.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore: Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is at the moment the cupboard minister on the Industry & Commerce, Youth Affairs & Sports Department in the Government of Rajasthan. Rathore gained a silver medal on the 2004 Athens Olympics in the Double Trap (capturing) occasion. He joined the BJP in 2013 and has been a member since.