Chennai: Even while skirting the contract issue between the players and Board of Control for Cricket in India, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday said, "We are going to try and realise the hopes of Indian masses and bring back the World Cup to the country." Though there seems to be some doubt on Indian cricketers signing the ICC contract for the World Cup, the statement coming as it did from Tendulkar, a senior player and founder member of the Indian Cricket Players Association (ICPA), reborn last month, indicated that the Indian team would be competing in the mega event in South Africa in February next. Participating in the launch of an Indian energy drink as its ambassador along with opening batsman and all-rounder Virender Sehwag, Tendulkar, however, expressed his unwillingness to answer cricket related questions. "Just to answer the question on World Cup cricket in South Africa, it is going to be a big tournament, coming every four years. Indian supporters are looking forward to it. They are hoping the cup comes back to India. We are hoping for it. We are going to try our best to realise their hope." Asked whether the contract issue would be resolved, Tendulkar said, "I don't want to comment anything on that. I will be more happy to talk to the media about the product because I am here for that specific purpose." On the occasion of the launch of a new product of the energy drink, Tendulkar said, "I am happy to be associated with the product, one of the earliest brands that I have been associated with. First time I got here to Chennai was along with Kapil Dev when I first endorsed the product. The company has been helping in development of school level cricket in the country since then." Touching upon his earlier days, Tendulkar said as a kid cricketer he was on a tour to England with Kailash Ghantani (coach) and learnt a lot then. "Likewise this company is also doing the same to develop cricket at that level." "After the World Cup is over, I will be spending time with the kids on cricket," he said adding "I have gone through this as a kid and I know how important for a youngster to meet an international cricketer and get to know his experience. I want to meet them and spend time with them and share their feelings too."
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Tags: cricket, chennai, board of control for cricket in india, bcci, sachin tendulkar, icc, world, indian cricket players association, icpa, world cup in south africa, indian, virender sehwag, india, kapil dev, england, kailash ghantani.