FROM PLAYGROUND TO PARLIAMENT

Former Pakistan Cricket Captain Imran Khan’s elevation to the highest rungs of politics has attracted the global media to Pakistan. Let’s unravel a few other sports champions who made their fortune in the world of politics.

1 He changed the winning equation of Sri Lankan Cricket team with his innovative leadership. He was first nominated as Deputy Minister for Industry, Tourism Promotion in 2004. He also held portfolios for ports and shipping, and petroleum resource development. Identify.

2 The island nation of Nauru has 10 gold medals in Commonwealth Games and he has accounted for seven of them in weightlifting. Elected to Parliament for the first time in 2003, he was education and finance minister and later served as the country’s 11th President between 2007 and 2011. Identify.

3 His eight- year reign of terror left 500,000 people dead or missing. He was also a national light heavyweight boxing champion and an excellent rugby player and swimmer. In 1976, being the President, he offered 10,000 Shillings for anyone who could beat him in the breast stroke duel. Identify.

4 He first played football as a youngster and later became a coach. He started as a running back and even tackled the legendary Jim Thorpe. He was nicknamed the “Kansas Cyclone”. He later became the General of the Army and the President of the United States. Identify.

5 He captained Fiji in New Zealand for two First- Class matches. He played eight non- first- class matches from 1954 to 1956 and clinched a victory against West Indies. Considered the founding father of the country, he was the Prime Minister of Fiji between 1970 and 1992 and President between 1993 and 2000. Identify.