By IANS,
Beijing : India’s World Cup winning captain and cricketing legend Kapil Dev Monday termed Abhinav Bindra’s gold winning feat as the biggest sporting achievement of the country.
Kapil said winning country’s first individual Olympic gold is a far bigger achievement than the 1983 cricket World Cup triumph.
The former-all-rounder also hoped that the feat would have the same effect in India’s sporting scene as the 83′ world cup win had on popularity of cricket.
“Bindra has done the country proud. This is far bigger than any other sporting achievement. It is difficult to compare India’s sporting laurels but I think this one has eclipsed all other feats,” Kapil said.
“It is very difficult for any Indian sportsperson to win medals in international competition, leave alone Olympics. Because they have to perform under pressure and with no resources available. It is against heavy odds. Bindra’s effort will inspire others to win more laurels. They will do much better in times to come.”
India’s one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he would like to congratulate Binda personally.
“This is a proud moment for any Indian. A gold medal in Olympics is the biggest glory any sportsperson can think of. I am sure his family must be very proud of him today,” said Dhoni.
Yuvraj Singh, who hails from Bindra’s hometown Chandigarh, said: “He (Bindra) has put in a lot of effort to achieve this success. I am very happy,” Yuvraj said.