Sportstars Turned Politicos: When These Sports Players Played A Political Game

Sports stars are known to play their game the ‘hard’ way in the field by using different strategies and attacking style. Be it cricket, tennis or football; these players know how to play the game and trounce the opposition.

But what happens when the players change places? What if a cricketer trade place with his helmet to that of a ‘neta cap’?

Well, that’s possible as the below 10 Sports Stars Turned Politicians for a change in environment:

Mohammad Kaif:
Former Indian cricketer, Mohammad Kaif was the fulcrum in the Indian middle order during the 2003-04 period. Kaif was fondly remembered for that heroic display at Lord’s in 2002 during India’s famous win against England. Soon Kaif’s poor form done him in and the former failed to earn a spot in the Indian team. But after that disappointment, Kaif who also plays Ranji cricket recently contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh’s Phulpur constituency on a Congress ticket.

Baichung Bhutia:
He was India’s first footballer to ply trade in English football but Baichung Bhutia is not famous is scoring goals! The former India football captain was also the cynosure of the eyes when he contested the Lok Sabha polls on a Trinamool Congress ticket.

Pargat Singh:
How often hockey players try their luck in the world of politics but none better than former India hockey captain Pargat Singh. During the 2012 Assembly elections, Pargat won a ticket on the Shiromani Akali Dal ticket, from Jalandhar Cantt constituency and defeated Congress’ Jagbir Brar.

Rajyavardhan Rathore:
Here is India’s first silver medallist in the Olympics for shooting, Rajyavardhan Rathore joined BJP in 2013 after taking a intentional retirement from the Indian Army.

Marat Safin:
After contesting the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Pete Sampras on the tennis court; Russian tennis star Marat Safin entered politics and was elected to the Russian Parliament as a member of Vladimir Putin’s United Russia Party, in December 2011.

Andriy Shevchenko:
Former Chelsea and Ukrainian footballer, Andriy Schevchenko retired in 2012 from the world of football and entered the ‘murky’ world of politics. Shevchenko, who was a national hero in his country, announced that he was joining, then, the Ukraine Forward Party!

Jyotirmoyee Sikdar:
India’s gold medallist at the 1998 Asian Games, Jyotirmoyee Sikdar became involved in the political world as the former entered the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Sikdar was awarded a seat from the Krishnagar constituency of West Bengal during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

Sachin Tendulkar:
After scoring loads of runs and hundreds on the cricketing field, India’s ‘Master Blaster’ announced to the world that he will be joining the Indian Parliament. In April 2012, Sachin was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the president of India, thus becoming the first active sportsperson to have been listed.

Imran Khan:
Pakistan cricket’s most celebrated star, Imran Khan turned to politics after bidding adieu to cricket and became the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which has yet to win over the hearts of his countrymen.