Football should be promoted, says Rathore

Silver medallist Maj RVS Rathore voiced his support for Indian footballers asking the media to make them more popular.

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) After taking shooting to a new high in Indian sports, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore today voiced his support for Indian footballers asking the media to make them more popular.

"We have a lot of very good players but we hardly know about our national footballers other than Baichung Bhutia. You should project them more," Olympic silver medallist Rathore said when asked to name his favourite stars other than the Indian captain.

Talking to reporters, after watching the inaugural ceremony of the 2004 Subroto Cup football tournament, Rathore also recollected his love for the world's most popular sport.

"It was difficult for me to find a dribbling partner. Finally, I used to dribble with my pet because dogs are very fast.

"Football is an amazing sport and I used to follow European soccer when I was training in Italy," he said adding that retired French football superstar Zinedine Zidane was his favourite among the world stars.

Asked about the awards which will come in recognition of his historic feat at Athens, becoming the first Indian to win an individual silver medal, Rathore said the biggest award for him was the smile on the people's face.

"For me the biggest award is the happiness on the faces of the people," he said.