Sourav Ganguly Pays Tribute to Leander Paes

Hats off. Nothing more to say. By becoming Grand Slam Champion at the age of 40, he has proved everybody that age is not a factor. The important thing here is your mentality and your game. Myself and Leander, in childhood, together trained under PK Banerjee (former legendary Bengal footballer). Since then we are close friends. Both of us were quiet thin then, at that time we didn't dream't of anything high. I didn't think that i would play for India and Leander too didn't think of winning Wimbledon at that time. Since the day i saw him, his attitude inspired me. He was ready and steady all the time. I have spent so much time with Leander, never saw him yawning. He doesn't think too much about what's going to happen in the future. His attitude makes him believe that there is no reason why the thing which he though of would not happen.

I also want to congratulate Vace Uncle (Leander's father). He is a terrific man. Both I and Leander are so successful in our career. The main reason behind that being our fathers. Vace uncle worked a lot behind Leander. Lee (Leander's short name) had a lot of skills and adding to that his father's training and his own attitude. That's reflecting in the results. A friend was asking me, if Sachin goes to South Africa, will he get inspiration from Leander. I would say both yes and no. Leander's success at 40 would inspire any sportsman of same age.Specially for those whose performance solely depends on skill and fitness. But cricket and tennis are  different sports that i doubt if the inspiration will fetch any result.Tennis is a world level tough sport. A slight difference in fitness between players can even make Federer bow out from the tournament. But cricket is a 1-ball game. Here Dale Steyn comes and Bowlsl at 90miles speed. I poor selection of shot and you are out. No second chance. Also, cricket is a team sport.Your selection needs to be permitted by different people. But Tennis is a personal game. Had Tennis be a team-sport, talks would have already started regarding the age of Leander and various negative comments would have been made by the higher authorities. So the big difference in tennis is Leander himself is his own selector. Will he quit at 40 or continue till 43, its his personal decision. Even in those stages  where tennis is a team sport (Olympic, Asiad, Davis cup), lot of negative comments were made about Leander by the authorities.

I am overwhelmed by Leander's achievement. Remembered that in the childhood he used to get charged up whenever there was a competition.That's his special asset.When i was the Indian Captain, i had lots of chat with Leander. When i had an operation in 2003 (remember the Home Test Series vs NZ and ODI Tri-Series with NZ and AUS) lee used to visit me every night at Bellevue nursing home. Ever since he shifted to Mumbai,our meetings became occasional .I think why doesn't he stay in Kolkata anymore? if he can share his stories with the local players that would be very inspiring. Why only tennis, his expertise can be off big help in cricket also. If CAB can talk to him to stage a 2-day fitness camp for Bengal team, that would be very good for the team.But don't know whether he would get time for it. As of now, i'm searching for his USA number to congratulate him,otherwise i have to leave a SMS to his Mumbai number only.

Courtesy : ABP
Translated By : Shrayan Sen
Edited By : Arun Raghavan

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