The Hindu : Sport : A role model

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 05, 2004

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

A role model

A role model

Sir, — At the age of 47, Martina Navratilova showed grit and determination to win a round in style against a younger opponent in the Wimbledon Championship. She proved age couldn't be a deterrent if the passion is there and the will to work hard. Martina may not go and win like earlier times but she has the spirit and younger players can take a lesson from that positive attitude.

Pankaj Kumar Sinha

Chennai

Sheer genius

Sir, — In every sport, from time to time, there comes a genius who transcends the border between mortality and immortality with unbelievable ease and class. Sachin Tendulkar, Pete Sampras and Michael Schumacher fall into this category of performers who can be a treat to watch when at their best. As if to remind us that they are mortals after all, they fail now and then. This is why Tendulkar could not win a World Cup for his country, Sampras could not bag a French Open title or Schumacher crashed his car while leading at Monaco. But they are mere aberrations in an otherwise glittering careers. At present, Schumacher seems to be in that exalted zone where others would not dare to venture. Together with his Ferrari he makes such an unbeatable combination that in the years ahead the only interest in Formula One races will be to find who will finish behind Schumacher in the overall championship.

Dr. Sannapareddy Krishnareddy,

Nellore

Contest denied

Sir, — Muttiah Muralitharan's decision to skip the Australian tour will only help Shane Warne to take over as the highest wicket taker in Test cricket with ease and without a contest. From the spectators' point of view that is a denial of what would have been a keen contest.

K. Sridhar,

Chennai

Bangar ideal

Sir, — Sanjay Bangar will be an ideal opening partner for Virender Sehwag in the forthcoming Test series against Australia Down Under. Bangar is temperamentally strong and can lay anchor in the face of Aussie pace attack and leave Sehwag to use his willow to good purpose, a la Srikkanth style. Yuvraj Singh cannot fit in as a Test opener.

K. Pradeep,

Chennai

Not wise

Sir — The recent open debate on who should open the Indian innings in the company of Virender Sehwag left a bad taste in the mouth. It is the established practice that such matters rested with the team management, which also included the captain and the vice-captain. So, this open debate is tantamount to washing dirty linen. Indian cricket can do without such drama.

M. Ratnasabapathi,

Madurai

Congrats Sharath!

Sir — Congratulations to Sharath Kamal for becoming the first Indian to win the Commonwealth table tennis championship, held this time at Kuala Lumpur. This victory should be a morale booster for him as he prepares for the Athens Olympics. To be sure competition at the Olympics would be tough but the Kuala Lumpur experience should see him take up the fight with a touch of confidence.

K.V. Raman,

Chennai

Chennai

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