10 Indian sportspersons who did their bit for their country off the field

P.T. Usha trains young athletes in her academy in Kerala

Sports are a big part of India, and the players who represent the game gain celebrity status depending on their performance. While most of the players are judged based on their on-field statistics, it is their contribution to society off the field that determines their status in history.Also read: Milkha Singh: Did he ever hold the 400m world record? 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' makes major goof by claiming he didPlayers can have a successful career in sports such as cricket, football, hockey, and athletics, but they will only be remembered by the fans for ages to come based on their contribution to society.While India’s littered with a number of sportspersons, it is to be seen how many of them have been able to capture the hearts of the fans for their contribution to the society.Here is a list of 10 Indian sportspersons who have been doing their bit for their country off the field.

#10 P.T. Usha

P.T. Usha trains young athletes in her academy in Kerala

The Kerala-based coach won four gold medals, and six silver medals during a decorated career for India. All the four gold medals that she won were from the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. Apart from that she is also the holder of the current record for women's fastest 400m hurdle of 55.42 seconds which she achieved at Los Angeles. She is the recipient of the Arjuna Award, and Padma Shri. She also won the Best Athlete in Asia award in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1989.

She currently coaches young athletes at Usha School of Athletics at Koyilandy Kerala. She was chosen by the Kerala State Government to run a sporting school for women and has been doing it till date.

#9 Viren Rasquinha

Former Indian hockey team captain Viren Rasquinha

Viren Rasquinha was the former Indian hockey team captain, the highlight of his career was the Athens Olympic games where his team finished seventh. But by the age of 28 he decided to quit playing hockey and went to pursue management studies at the Indian School of Buisness Hyderabad.

The player has won the gold medal in the 2001 Junior World Cup, 2003 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur, and 2003 Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad. While the player currently works as a manager, he had the following to say about his career: "Retirement is a very personal thing.

“For me, it was difficult but I always wanted to retire at the peak of my game. People ask me till today why I retired early and remember me fondly, with respect. That is all I can ask for."

#8 Baichung Bhutia

Retired Indian International player Biachung Bhutia

38-year old Indian striker Baichung Bhutia was a big part of the Indian National football team from 1995 to 2011. As a player, he won several award among which are the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and Banga Bhushan award. The player was also inducted into the Asian Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

Apart from football the Sikkim based player has been very active in his charitable contributions. The player was part of several charity matches for various causes, but he was also part of the Trinamool Congress where he contested for the 2014 Lok Sabha election- which went unsuccessfully.

The player was also known for supporting Tibetan independence movement when he refused to carry the Olympics torch saying: "I sympathise with the Tibetan cause. I'm against violence but I thought I should stand by the Tibetan People in their fight,"

#7 Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid is an active member of the Bangalore Traffic Police

Rahul Dravid who was one of India’s best cricketers, was always an active person off the field. The player who was nicknamed “The Wall” has done a lot to help the society since he started his career as a cricketer.

He is currently the public face of the Bangalore Traffic Police, where he helps the police send public safety messages. He was an active part of the “I Won’t honk” campaign, which was aimed to reduce the noise pollution level in the city.

Dravid is also a part of the Children's Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA), and the UNICEF Supporter and AIDS Awareness Campaign. UNICEF Supporter and AIDS Awareness Campaign as the name suggests is a campaign that is issued to notify and reduce the chances of coming into contact with HIV AIDS.

#6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a cricketer known for his patriotism and is a part of the Indian army

After winning everything in cricket, Captain cool Mahendra Singh Dhoni has joined the Parachute Regiment where he holds the rank of honorary lieutenant colonel. The Indian ODI and T20 captain spoke about the fascination he had for the army, weaponry, and combat since a young age.

Dhoni who has always wanted to give back to the nation through the army, said that it was his dream to be able to be part of the Parachute regiment. The World Cup winner is yet to make a jump and said in an interview: “...I felt I would be able to contribute more with them later in life. I believe I know enough to justify the honour and was worthy of it. One day I will train with them and I will jump with them too because I am keen to truly earn my wings."

#5 Anil Kumble

Apart from Cricket, Anil Kumble is also interested in the conservation of wildlife

While cricket was the Indian bowler’s life during his career, the player has found another passion after his retirement. The ICC Hall of Famer has taken liking towards wildife, and has become an active member in the conservation of wildlife.

Kumble who was called Jumbo during his time on the pitch, set up “Jumbo Fund” which is aimed to raise funds, and give recognition to the rarely noticed people like the individuals working for the conservation of wildlife, the forest staff, and the Non-Government Organizations. Some of the other things the organization funds are researches and projects.

The Kumble foundation is also known for supporting issues like cancer prevention and treatment.

#4 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh is an active participant in the fight against cancer

Yuvraj Singh was an important part of the Indian cricket team in the 2011 Cricket World Cup where he was named the man of the tournament, but soon after had to overcome another hurdle in his life when he was diagnosed with cancer.

The player though overcame the illness and made successfully made his return to the sport after a gap. The fight against cancer though inspired the cricketing All-rounder to start an initiative dedicated to raise cancer awareness called “YouWeCan”

The initiative that has the support of the Yuvraj Singh Foundation (YSF) is present to spread awareness of the illness, to inform about the advantages of detection at early stages, and to help fight the stigma attached to the disease.

#3 Milkha Singh

Four-time Asian Games gold medalist winner Milkha Singh served for his country in the military

Milkha Singh who was one of India’s most influential sports persons in athletics served for his country in the military. He won six medals for India amongst which five were gold and one silver.

Before becoming active in athletics, Singh joined the Indian army upon his brother's persuasion. The irony though is that the man from Punjab was considering to become a dacoit prior to joining the army. It took Milkha Singh four tries before he was able to join the army, in 1951, but by the end of his career, he was promoted to the rank of junior commissioned officer for his success at the 1958 Asian Games.

The Indian athletics legend though gave credit to the army for introducing him to the sport saying: "I came from a remote village, I didn't know what running was, or the Olympics".

#2 Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar receives a memento for receiving the rank of Honorary Group Captain

Sachin Tendulkar who is worshipped by millions of Indian cricket fans for his contribution to the sport is also known for his charitable contributions to the society. The 42-year-old who has broken several records in cricket works with Mumbai-based NGO Apnalaya to sponsor 200 underprivileged children every year. The Indian batting legend is also part of several other foundation among which is the Crusade against cancer foundation, where he helped raise $150,000 just by the use of social media.

He also spent some time on the 12-hour Coca-Cola-NDTV Support My School telethon in 2011 where he helped his them raise Rs 7 crores.

The master blaster is also awarded the rank of Honorary Group Captain by the Indian Air Force. He became the first sportsperson to receive the rank and was also the first person without an aviation background to receive the prestigious award.

#1 Dhyan Chand

Dhyan Chand
Indian hockey legend Dhyan Chand’s birthday is celebrated as National Sports Day in India

Dhyan Chand was a Rajput who was born on 29 August 1905 in Allahabad. He was renown for his contribution to Indian hockey where he led the team to three Olympic gold medals for hockey. This was the era where India dominated hockey and were renown all over the world after winning three consecutive gold medals in the Olympics between 1928 and 1936.

Apart from hockey Chand was also part of the Indian army since the age of 16 and it was with the army that he got his chance to represent India in the Olympics for hockey. In 1956 though the hockey legend retired from the army at the age of 51 by which time he hade attained the rank of Major.

It is rumoured that the Fuhrer was so impressed with the Indian in the 1936 Olympics at Berlin, that he even offered him a German citizenship and the rank of Colonel in his army. The Rajput though humbly declined the offer with a smile.

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Edited by Staff Editor