'They are all real-life heroes for each one of us' - Sachin Tendulkar appeals the country to support India at Tokyo Paralympics

A total of 54 athletes from India are all set to compete in nine sports at the Tokyo Paralympics. The Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has thus come forward to extend his support for the Paralympics. Tendulkar has appealed to the country to wholeheartedly back Indian athletes taking part at the event.

The games are scheduled to start from Tuesday and ahead of it, the former India cricketer has thrown light on the journey of the para-athletes. He termed the athletes as the real heroes and their journey as an eye-opener to common people to measure what passion and determination can do.

Sachin Tendulkar also opened up on the importance of celebrating the Paralympic athletes and pointed that they need to be given all the support just like the Olympic heroes and cricketers in our country receive. “I have always believed that these women and men are not athletes with special abilities. Rather, they are women and men of extraordinary ability who are all real-life heroes for each one of us.

“Their journeys are an eye-opener to what women and men can do with passion, commitment and determination and serve as inspiration for every one of us. I have always believed that if we can celebrate our Paralympic athletes in the very same manner that we celebrate our Olympic heroes and our cricketers, we can become a better society.” the 48-year-old stated as reported by Times Now.

We need to celebrate the process and not simply the outcome: Sachin Tendulkar

Sports is not always about a win or a defeat. It is more about the participation and efforts of any sportsperson. Taking this into consideration, Tendulkar said that every athlete needs to be backed irrespective of the result. He believes that this will play a crucial role in bringing change to our sport. He further added that no matter if the athlete makes it to the podium or not, the fact that they are representing the tricolor is great satisfaction and that each of them is a great role model for everyone.

“However, it is important we celebrate them all. We need to celebrate the process and not simply the outcome. That’s when real change will happen in our sport. Having said that I will watch each athlete with the same interest whether they make it to the podium or not. Each of them are great role models and to see them perform for India and do it all for the tricolor is in itself a great sense of satisfaction for the country,” Sachin Tendulkar added.