When Champs Go Out of their Way for Fans

A sportsperson may not show it often but these heartwarming stories will convince you that their innate competitiveness doesn’t mean they don’t have heart.

 

MARTIN BUREAU / AFP

As he leapt over a fence and raced to the pitch to celebrate with the All-Blacks’ Rugby World Cup victory in Twickenham, Charlie Lines would not have known that he would be brought down with a full-on tackle by a security guard, let alone imagine that New Zealand centre Sonny Bill Williams would be moved to present him his own medal.

A former national heavyweight boxing champion, 30-year-old Williams said he knew Lines would appreciate the medal. “When he gets older he'll be telling his kids – that's more special than it just hanging on a wall. Better for it to be hanging around his neck than mine. I'm sure he'll remember it for a while,” he said of his gesture that will go down as priceless.

It is always delightful reading about a champion sportsperson spontaneously showcasing his emotions towards a fan. It goes against the notion that most professional athletes care only about themselves and not the fans. Some generous mention at presentation ceremonies, autographs, selfies with stars, and the occasional response on Twitter are typical gratification for fans.
Yet, there are champions who care.

Breaking Boundaries

Ishara S.KODIKARA / AFP

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar went out of his way to write to the Australian High Commission requesting it to process Sudhir Kumar Chaudhry’s visa application to be able to attend India’s matches at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. There was pride in Chaudhry’s heart when he arrived at the Adelaide Oval and showed the media a copy of the letter Tendulkar wrote.

India’s cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni organised ICC Word Twenty20 2014 final ticket for Mohammed Bashir, a Pakistani fan from Chicago. Having recognised that Bashir had been there at the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 in England, Dhoni struck a brief conversation with him only to realise that the restaurant owner did not have access to the final game.

DIBYANGSHU SARKAR / AFP

Virender Sehwag’s love for his fans is also stuff of legend. Back in 2012, MS Venkat, a young Sehwag fan in Chennai, volunteered to assist the Delhi Daredevils’ social media team in return for an audience with his idol. As he tweeted support from his own handle as well, he copped a lot of grief from other fans in his home city – but he was game.

Sehwag met Venkat when the Delhi Daredevils was in Chennai. Late one evening after practice, the champion met his admirer. Venkat's knees were ready to give away and he was quite dumbstruck. But Sehwag, showing more patience than he would at the batting crease, waited for the young man to collect himself.

A good minute-and-a-half later, Venkat felt encouraged and confident to speak to his idol. Sehwag had a few questions to ask of the young IT professional, and thanked him for his support for the Daredevils, despite facing hostility from the supporters of the local team. Venkat's joy knew no bounds when Sehwag signed a Delhi Daredevils shirt for him.

Out To Serve

LEON NEAL / AFP

Some years ago, tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi read a newspaper report about Babu, a 25-year-old marker in Bangalore’s Bowring Institute, who was battling cancer and had had one of his legs amputated. Mahesh Bhupathi made it possible for Babu to travel to Chennai for the Tata Open to watch a professional tennis match for the first time in his life – and from courtside at that.

Babu breathed his last in Bangalore a day after Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes won the doubles final but Mahesh Bhupathi had made his dream come true. Babu’s family recalled that he died a peaceful man.

Of course, there is also the beautiful story of Cristiano Ronaldo dressing up as a homeless bloke and playing football on a Madrid street. He did not draw more than cursory attention from passersby and shoppers until a boy engaged with him for a bit. The young lad got the ball, with Ronaldo’s autograph on it. It is something he will cherish for the rest of his life.

Just as Charlie Lines will cherish the Rugby World Cup medal.

 source:zevenworld.com

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