Mumbai, Dec 11: Days after his retirement from cricket, Sachin Tendulkar is back to news. Now, another sports legend -- Milkha Singh claimed that Sachin should become the Sports Minister of India. Milkha Singh, a former Indian track and field sprinter, believes that only sportsperson like Sachin can work for sportsmen of the country.

While launching the mascot for the forthcoming Lusofonia Games, scheduled in Goa in Jan 2014, Milkha Singh was quoted as saying, "Sachin should be made sports minister so that he can work for the betterment of sports. Only a sportsman will work sincerely and with dedication for the cause of sport."

Milkha, who is also known as Flying Singh, also claimed that hockey legend Dhyan Chand deserved the Bharat Ratna honour "before anyone else". However, he has never thought of Bharat Ratna being conferred to him.

Only a sportsman will work sincerely and with dedication for the cause of sport

"It is something that I have never given any thought to, to be honest. However, one person who deserved the Bharat Ratna before anyone else was Dhyan Chand," he said.

"Dhyan Chands contribution to the field of sport remains unparallelled," Singh added. Singh, along with tennis player Sania Mirza, unveiled the mascot and torch for the Lusofonia games in a glittering ceremony held this evening.

The clamour for Bharat Ratna award for Dhyan Chand has been on for some time.

Sachin was recently chosen for the highest civilian honour after his retirement from cricket. The cricketing great has on many occasions supported the cause of sports other than cricket. Sachin is also an MP of Rajya Sabha.

OneIndia News
(With PTI inputs)