‘Tendulkar will contribute as RS Member’
Fayaz Bukhari
UDHAMPUR/ BARAMULLA, June 3: The captain of Indian Cricket team, Lt Col (Hony) Mohinder Singh Dhoni today said that he is not against the Indo-Pak cricket ties and wants that they should be resumed soon.
While interacting with the media at Baramulla in North Kashmir today Dhoni said,“ I am ambassador of the sports and I am not against cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. It is up to two cricket boards, BCCI and PCB to discuss and chalk out the cricket schedule and make a fresh beginning. Two countries have to make the beginning of the cricketing ties from somewhere,’’ he maintained.
Mr Dhoni further said that BCCI is funding the local clubs of the country and it is up to them how they spend the money effectively for the welfare of the cricket across the country.
On former Indian cricket team captain Sachin Tendulkar, Dhoni said “ I wish him good luck. He is now in Rajya Sabha. This is a new venue for him and I am sure he will do well there also.’’
Tendulkar who turned 39-recently and was nominated to the Upper House in April, is scheduled to take oath as member of Rajya Sabha tomorrow.
Responding to a question, Dhoni said that Indian army does not need his motivation and described it as one of the most professional armies of the world that is highly motivated. He said that during his visit, he interacted with and army soldiers and they shared their experiences with him.
Earlier, Lt Col (Hony) Dhoni who is on visit to several defence locations in J&K met GOC-in-C Northern Command, Lt Gen K T Parnaik and visited Kaman post at the LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla in north Kashmir.
Mr Dhoni, who had night halt at Rajouri with army, left for Udhampur in Cheetah Helicopter in the morning today. On his arrival at the Northern Command headquarters at around 10.15 am, he straightway moved to Command Headquarters, where he interacted with the Northern Army Commander, Lt Gen Parnaik, other senior officers and their families besides children of the Army Public School, Udhampur. He shared his experience with Lt Gen Parnaik and others during his Rajouri-Poonch visit.
The heart throb of millions, Mr Dhoni spent maximum time at Udhampur with the school children, gave them autographs and had photo-sessions with them. The children were keen to have glimpse of Dhoni. He, as usual, appeared cool, smiling and patiently gave autographs to the excited children. He also had interaction with the officers’ families and revealed the purpose of his visit to the forward defence locations and also shared his experience here.
He stayed hardly for half an hour and then left for Srinagar to visit some forward defence locations along the Line of Control in Uri area of Baramulla sector.
On arrival at Srinagar airbase, he straightway moved to Kaman Post in Uri sector in an Army helicopter and had interaction with soldiers deployed there. He spent some time with them and shared their experience. He also had look on the posts on that side of the LoC including ‘Haji Peer’ mountain and then moved to Baramulla after a photo-session with them. He was received by Maj Gen Bipin Rawat, GOC Daggar Division. Dhoni also interacted with the soldiers of Baramulla Garrison at Thimayya Hall and thanked them for keeping country secure.
Later, Dhoni met the youth of Kashmir who had participated in Kashmir Premier League. He appreciated their efforts to come to the mainstream. He had food with jawans of Territorial Army and interacted with them.
In Rajouri last evening, Dhoni had a firing spell with Insas Rifles and AK-47 at a firing range with 156 TA jawans at Palma camp. He also paid visit to 101 TA unit. Lt Col Doni belonged to Parachut unit of this TA Regiment. He will have night halt at Baramulla Garrison and then move back to Srinagar tomorrow morning.
Follow our WhatsApp channel