On Sunday, legendary Indian cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar expressed that India is a sports-loving nation and also underlined the importance of it becoming a “sports-playing” country. The cricket icon inaugurated ‘Sparking the Future’ initiative of DBS Bank at a TMC school in Mumbra area near here.

Under the initiative, solar-powered flood-lights have been installed at the ground to enable the children to play the game at night. Talking to a huge amount of time with the children, Tendulkar emphasized the need to make a change in lifestyle, so that the country becomes a healthy nation.

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Describing his point, the legend said, “….and I will give another message here, as I have been always saying that India has to be young and fit. We are a young (nation)…when you see the average age of the nations, India is called the youngest nation. But I don’t think that India is the fittest nation or the healthiest nation, because if that had been the case we wouldn’t have been the diabetes capital…we are the diabetic capital of the world, as far as obesity is concerned we are on the third number, so we need to change our lifestyle.”

He further added, “We are a sports-loving nation and it is important to become a sports-playing nation and for that if facilities like these come up, then (I will not only) tell kids (but also) tell parents to spend time with their kids and play, there will be a good relationship,” added Tendulkar, who has played 200 Test matches.”

Giving an example of his own life, Sachin advised the students to chase their dreams. He said that the children should find out the areas of their passion and chased their dreams as he did. According to Tendulkar, cricket has given him a lot and taught him in his life.

City Mayor Meenakshi Shinde and senior officials of Thane Municipal Corporation were present on the occasion.