‘SPORTS CAN HELP PREVENT YOUTH FROM GETTING RADICALISED’

Q. What are the benefits of sports, especially in today’s times?

A. Sports is a very positive outlet to utilise your energy. Sports help you build a healthy body and mind, and also benefit in our spiritual growth through discipline. It is a great engagement for youngsters. Once you have a healthy mind, no one can radicalise you easily.

Q. So, you think sports can stop a young person from getting radicalised…

A. We can protect those children from getting brainwashed by the negative influence. That is why I believe that this is high time we bring the sports culture and make it popular among kids to build a progressive nation.

Q. A. Cricket aside, not many sports are celebrated in India. Why do you think this is the situation? And how can this be changed?

Whenever we learn a skill, we tend to look for what we are getting out of it, as in the commercial benefit. So, we look at sports as a career as risky because of the short span it has, say, for a cricketer or a football player. That is not how sports should be. You play the sport you are good at despite its commercial benefit. One does not always have to get into competitive sports

Q. Has success ever made you complement? A. Success never made me complacent. So, I did not stop exploring things that are new to me.

Q. Please tell us about your long and beautiful journey. A. When I started modelling, I did not even know that it could be a profession. When I did my first marathon, my idea was to do it just one time. Then I got hooked to it and ever since I am running the marathon, and now I have become a part of the fitness movement over the last 17 years. IANS