By IANS
New Delhi : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave a strong hint here Monday that India’s batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar could be awarded honorary knighthood.
At a press conference, Brown said that there was a “strong case” for honouring sporting achievements around the world, noting that Australian cricket legend Don Bradman and West Indies maestro Gary Sobers had been so honoured.
Brown, however, pointed out that a panel does the selection and that he alone cannot pick anyone for the top accolades.
“Tendulkar is one of the greatest cricketers. [But] it is not for me to decide, there is an independent honours committee (for recommending awards),” he said.
Brown’s move is seen as effort to bind the Commonwealth fraternity.
“It used to be the case that great cricketers from the Commonwealth would be recognised by the British people through our honoured system – we think of Sir Don Bradman or Sir Gary Sobers,” said Brown, who is here on an official visit.
Brown lamented that the system of rewarding renowned sportspersons of the Commonwealth by the ‘Empire’ has “fallen into disrepair” as most of the Commonwealth countries have opted out of the honoured system and have their own honours.
“But I believe it was a good tradition to celebrate the achievements of the great Commonwealth cricketers — it shows we are good sports and I would like to see some of the great players of the modern era – like Sachin Tendulkar – proposed for honorary awards – so the British nation can salute their achievements in one of our national sports,” Brown said.
“Obviously, these are issues for the independent honours committee, but I hope they will consider it.”
Brown also congratulated the Indian team for coming back strongly to win the third Test against Australia at Perth to breathe life in the four-match series that the hosts now lead 2-1. “I applaud the team,” he said.