Tendulkar named ambassador for World Cup 2011

Dubai, Nov 11 (PTI) Iconic Indian batsman Sachin
Tendulkar, who is set to become only the second player in the
history of cricket to play six ODI World Cups, was Thursday
named the official ambassador of the event to be held in the
sub-continent next year.
Tendulkar will be called upon to promote and support a
variety of ICC initiatives for the tournament, which is the
third biggest sporting event in the world and will take place
in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2
next year, the International Cricket Council said in a
statement.
"There are just 100 days to go and I am really looking
forward to playing in another Cricket World Cup," said
Tendulkar, who will join Pakistan's Javed Miandad as the only
other player to take part in six World Cups.
"In terms of limited-overs cricket, the ICC Cricket World
Cup is the highest level you can play so it is always a thrill
to take part in such an important and widely followed event.
"The fact that the 2011 event will be staged here in the
sub-continent makes it even more special for me and I am keen
to ensure we play well. As a team we would be doing
everything we can to win the world cup on home soil," he
added.
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said the governing
body was lucky to get the support of a player of Tendulkar's
stature.
"We are very lucky to have such an extraordinary player
as Sachin supporting our flagship event.
"I don't think any other player has inspired a nation
like he has and the respect and affection he enjoys goes way
beyond his native India. Many other athletes and sports fans
around the globe admire what he consistently achieves and what
he does for cricket," Lorgat said.
Throughout his two-decade long career, Tendulkar has
inspired millions of cricket lovers around the world with his
skill, temperament and love for the game.
Since making his debut for India in 1989 at the tender
age of 16, he has scored more international runs than anyone
else in history while also adhering faithfully to the spirit
of cricket.
Tendulkar has scored 14,292 runs in 172 Tests, while
amassing 17,598 in 442 One Day Internationals. PTI PM
SAK