It took Sachin Tendulkar 27 long years to attend his second Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM) awards for sportspersons, but when he finally did, he stole the show!, says a report in The Times Of India, adding that and he chose the occasion to play a quintessential master stroke.
On Sunday, his son, Arjun, made his professional debut, in the Kanga League and was dismissed for just 1. The news spread like wildfire and soon TV channels began flashing it repeatedly. Realising immediately what a detrimental effect it would have on his 14-year-old son, Tendulkar made an emotional plea. "My son has played his first official match today. He is passionate and madly in love with cricket. I would appreciate if everyone allows him to be himself and to have his own identity and just enjoy his cricket," Tendulkar said.
"Since the entire sports journalists' fraternity is sitting here, I'm going to be a protective father. When I started playing cricket, though my father was a professor and was into literature, at no stage I was under pressure to follow in my father's footsteps. There were no comparisons. He (Arjun) has just started his career, so it is a humble request if he can live his life like a normal 14-year-old, without thinking about anything else except falling in love with this sport," Tendulkar said.
According to Hindustan Times a report Sachin remembered the first time he was felicitated by the association in 1987, and said the rickshaw ride at that time was quite comfortable. "I can't forget the rickshaw ride. It was really comfortable in those days especially when you are carrying big kit bags and travelling by train and bus. That evening was a memorable one especially as Sunil Gavaskar had just retired from Test cricket and he was present there," he said.
Tendulkar advised the other award winners to have a positive mindset to excel in their respective fields. "From my own experience and my own journey, I can tell you is enjoy every moment. There will be some challenges along the way but embrace those challenges. Don't find short cuts. Continue to make the nation proud. They (sports journalists) play a huge role in making players and not supporting players. You give them a reason to support you. Their actions are always followed by your performances," Tendulkar said.
"To be able to perform consistently over the years, the mental frame of mind has to be positive at all times. You need positive energy flowing through your body, which will allow those free moments and bring out the best in you," he said.