Sachin Tendulkar in the Olympic Torch Bearers Team on April, 17 th

We are aware that Olympic relay torch arrives in India on 17 th April and China is very much concerned and of course worried on the safe passage of the torch without any untoward incident in India, in the wake of the Tibetan unrest and its fear that the supporters of Dalai Lama may play havoc to disrupt the peaceful movement of the Olympic torch in India.

India’s National Security Advisor Mr.Narayanan and our foreign minister Mr.Pranab Kumar Mukerji have also ensured the safe passage of the Olympic torch and thereby to allay the fears of China.

Under the circumstances stated above, Mr.Bhutia, an Indian football player who was scheduled to be one of the torch bearers of the relay torch, withdrew from the event expressing his solidarity in favour of the Dalailama’s agitators in Tibet. Therefore, amid growing concerns over the safety of the Olympic torch relay here, the Indian Olympic Association has announced that Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar will carry the flame at the 17 th April run.

Indian Olympic Association President, Mr.Suresh Kalmadi confirmed Tendulkar’s participation in the relay which has witnessed protests by pro-Tibet supporters worldwide. Consequent to the refusal of Bhutia, many sportspersons also disinclined to participate in the India leg of the Olympic torch relay. Sachin Tendulkar himself called upon Mr.Suresh Kalmadi and expressed his willingness to be part of the Olympic Torch bearing programme.

Now Sachin Tendulkar will share the honour  with the likes of tennis player Leader Paes, Bolywood Actors  Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan, former Olympian Milkha Singh, golfer Jyoti Randhawa, Pullela Gopi Chand and Anju Bobby George will take part in the relay with enthusiasm. In fact there is a growing demand for the inclusion more sport persons in the relay and IOA will accommodate as many sport persons as possible.

The torch relay is a matter of pride and India will ensure that no untoward incident takes place. Everything has been planned and there will be adequate security measures.India and the cricketing fraternity can be proud of the fact that Sachin Tendulkar has been drafted into the team for carrying Olympic torch relay on its arrival in India on April, 17 th.