New Delhi, Sep 3 (UNI) The just concluded Asian Games at Jakarta has proved that if there is talent and enthusiasm, a good athlete does not need any "recommendation", former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev said here on Monday.
"The recommendation is required for them who only makes excuse.... who does not know how to play. These Games have proved that a good athlete does not need any 'sifarish (recommendation)," Dev said here at an interaction organised by FICCI.
"It was really pleasant to see people of different and at times strange background coming and making it good in the Asiad and winning medals," he said referring to India's best ever and highest 69 medals win at the Jakarta mega event.
Asked whether there is overall improvement in the management and running of sporting organisations in the country and if things are becoming 'more clean' as young sporting talent from from humble background and even 'without so called right connections' are able to come forward, he said: "things were same earlier also....when two athletes run, no one sees who is from what background".
"The important thing is people from poorer and lower middle class are now coming forward in large numbers. There is a neo-enthusiasm and you can see courage. Now they are ready to come forward. Earlier, there was an element of fear and shyness," said the former cricket icon.
India’s medal tally in the just concluded Games included – 15 gold, 24 silver and 30 broze - surpassing the previous best of 65 medals won at the 2010 edition in Guangzhou, China.
Kapil Dev, who is Honorary Lt. Colonel of Territorial Army, announced on the occasion along with others that the Indian Territorial Army & the Athletics Federation of India in partnership with FICCI will organise the 'official National Marathon' of India on October 2 as part of the raising day celebrations of the Indian Territorial Army.
Kargil War Hero Maj (Retd) DP Singh also spoke on the occasion.
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