Hope one day cricket is included in Olympics: Kapil Dev

‘A mere 12-14 countries play international cricket at this moment and that is why cricket is not a part of Olympics. However, cricket is attracting interest in countries such as Italy and Indonesia,’ he said

Validating the necessity of sports in a person’s life, former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev on Tuesday said sports bring discipline and everyone should be a player at heart.

Former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev on Tuesday inaugurated the Department of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at Jaypee Hospital in Noida Sector 128. (HT Photo)

Dev was speaking at the inauguration of the Department of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at Jaypee Hospital in Noida Sector 128.

“I believe everybody, irrespective of his/her profession should be a sportsman. Sports are for all and it brings goodness to your body. My advice is that everybody should devout at least two hours daily to their body. Youngsters should especially emulate sports in their lives, India has so much talent and I am sure that introduction to sports will give them better opportunities ,” Dev said.

In the context of Indian athletes travelling to Brazil to participate in Rio Olympics 2016, Dev advocated the entry of cricket as a sport in the Olympics.

”We have to understand that a mere 12-14 countries play international cricket at this moment and that is why cricket is not a part of Olympics. However, cricket is attracting interest in countries such as Italy and Indonesia. I hope one day cricket will be included in the Olympics,” the former cricketer said.

Addressing a press conference, the cricket icon spoke about the risks of injury to an athlete or sportsperson’s life.

“Sports injury is fairly common among athletes owing to the high intensity physical exercises they undergo. However, a few injuries can also end careers for some. Luckily, today, we have technology that can cure these injuries and prolong a sportsperson’s career,” Dev said.

The Sports medicine and Rehabilitation department inaugurated by Dev will have a team of specialists dedicated towards providing specialised treatment of sporting injuries.

“Sports medicine requires a team effort. Gone are the days when one individual alone used to treat injuries. A full team for sports medicine includes speciality physicians and surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists, coaches and others. It is our endeavour to provide this kind of a team concept to sportsmen at this centre,” said Dr Manoj Luthra, CEO, Jaypee Hospital.