After businessmen and richie-rich club members, it is the turn of cricket personalities from India to make the world rankings with star cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi making it to a list of 25 most powerful global sports figures.
Modi at 19th and Tendulkar at 23rd spot, are ahead of Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova and soccer club Inter Milan's Manager Jose Mourinho, as per the annual list compiled by American financial publication BusinessWeek.
The magazine described Modi as some one who "helped create the top cricket league in the world's second-most-populous land."
About Tendulkar, it said that "captain of the Mumbai Indians, the Master Blaster ranks among the best batsmen in the history of the game."
The list has been topped by FIFA President Joseph Blatter, followed by International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, Formuala One CEO Bernie Ecclestone, Adidas CEO Herbert Hainer and soccer star David Beckham in the top five.
Russian oligarch and Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich has been ranked sixth, followed by soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, Union of European Football Associations President Michel Platini, tennis legend Roger Federer and Japanese broadcaster Dentsu's Senior Managing Director Haruyuki Takahashi in the top ten.
AC Milan's Silvio Berlusconi, Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari President Luca Dimontezemolo, Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon and retired Formula One racer Michael Schumacher have also made to the list.
{{/usCountry}}AC Milan's Silvio Berlusconi, Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari President Luca Dimontezemolo, Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon and retired Formula One racer Michael Schumacher have also made to the list.
{{/usCountry}}About Sharapova, ranked 25th, the report said that she has "turned her striking looks and devastating serve into successes on and off the court."