Why Big B feels we should be proud of our athletes

Saina could not bend, could not lunge, could not express speed on court but she played despite debilitating injury: Bachchan

Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan says we all should be proud of our athletes as they bring greatest glory to the nation.

The 73-year-old actor shared his views on social media about sports and said people should understand an athlete before pointing out fingers at them.

"Sport, sports people bring the greatest glory to a nation .. they need love and care and recognition and respect... COME ONN INDIA," he wrote on Twitter.

In another post he tweeted, "Sports builds identity of a nation... And we shall build that... by next to next Olympic we shall be up there among the honours!!!"

Citing example of Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal, Bachchan wrote in his blog, "Saina Nehwal the world Champion in Badminton, drops by to the sets to meet up and what an honour it is... She is recovering from an injury to her knee and is doing well.

"I saw Saina play her game at the Rio2016 and saw her losing to an adversary that she had beaten many times over...But she was hampered by her injury to her knee... Could not bend, could not lunge, could not express speed on court but she played despite debilitating injury," he continued.

The "Piku" star mentioned that it is not morally correct to criticise the efforts of athletes because they work really hard.

"It is frightening to know of how our athletes live train and exercise their talent for the nation and we sit in front of TV screens and do damn all but criticise their non-efforts... This is not right.

"Talent for sport must be picked up at the young age, given the professional training, given the infrastructure and the right high end treatment from all spheres, in order that we may be proud of them when they represent us...," he wrote.

Bachchan made an appeal that they should feel proud of their athletes and give them psychological strength and support so they get to know that they are not alone.

"In the adverse conditions and circumstances that our athletes live and come up to Olympic standards without any professional or specialised training, it is an absolute wonder to notice their performance... We should cheer for them and applaud them... Make them feel the power of the presence of 1.25 billion people..."