It is being said that sports and politics do not mix well. They both are different entities and skillsets also vary. So, there is no guarantee that a good sportsman/sportswoman can be a successful politician. However, contrary to such a notion there have been several famous sports personalities who have been able to replicate their excellence in political circles of India and abroad as well. Recently, Leander Paes, India’s sole Olympic Bronze medalist in men’s single category of tennis, joined Trinamool Congress to test political waters after mesmerizing the audience on various tennis courts. Several sports stars have joined various political parties before and Paes won’t be the last one as well. However, the timing could not have been more appropriate to look at the sporting sensations who eventually became successful politicians.
Imran Khan
The 1992 World Cup-winning captain of Pakistan cricket was undoubtedly one of the best leaders the game has ever seen and he was mainly responsible for laying a robust template that produced world-class cricketers for his country. Later on when he entered the political pitch many felt he will lose all the popularity he gained as a prolific cricketer. Defying all the naysayers, today he is the Prime Minister of a complex and volatile country like Pakistan. Despite the juicy gossips regarding his personal life Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf stormed to power in 2018. Hence, Imran is an ideal example to successfully traverse the diverse worlds of politics and sports.
Navjot Singh Sidhu
A man of many talents, Sidhu’s political career has been as prolific as his cricketing career. Blessed with a vocabulary and wit, he can outsmart any politician the way he outclassed the best of the bowlers during his active years in cricket. After severing the 13 years of association with the BJP, he joined the Congress in 2017 and won the seat of Amritsar (East) by a huge margin in the 2017 Punjab Assembly Election. With an oratory skill to win over the audience, Sidhu becomes the most wanted figure during election campaigns as well.
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
This shooting superstar won a silver medal for India in the 2004 Olympics and also had a successful foray into politics. He joined BJP in 2014 after retiring from the Indian Army and hanging up his boots as a shooter. Looking at the things he could bring to the table he was inducted into the Modi cabinet in 2014 as the minister of Sports and Information and Broadcasting. He had been successful in both ministries and was part of several reforms during his tenure.
Manny Pacquiao
Those hooked on to the world of boxing would vouch for the fact that the Filipino player is, unarguably, one of the greatest to have graced the game with world titles in eight different weight classes. Apart from being a highly-paid sportsman, Manny Pacquiao has contested as congressman twice in two different elections since 2007. In June 2016, he was made a senator and is presently undergoing a six-year term till 2022.
Gautam Gambhir
The former opening batsman of India, who has been part of the world cup winning squads in 2007& 2010, is another success story in politics. After calling it quits as a cricketer, Gambhir joined the BJP in 2019 and won the Lok Sabha election seat from the East Delhi constituency with a huge margin in the same year. Though new to the political arena, he has shown immense maturity as a politician and is also known for his philanthropic activities.
