Happy Mother’s Day: Mothers are precious in a child’s life. They are our support system, the biggest critic and the biggest admirer. In a sportspersons’ life, a mom plays an even bigger role. From taking to school to practice ground and supporting through bad patches and cheering from the stands, they make a player a champion by being their first coach, first teacher and the biggest cheerleader. Not to mention, they also take care of the family. From Sachin Tendulkar to Saina Nehwal, Mithali Raj and Virat Kohli, every sportsperson became champions with their moms having their back.
On the occasion of Mother’s Day, InsideSport takes a look at 5 super moms of Indian sports who have nurtured super champions.
Rajni Tendulkar (Sachin Tendulkar): Behind every successful person, there is a woman. The phrase cannot be said enough for Rajni Tendulkar. She nurtured one of the greatest cricketers on the planet right from the beginning, supporting Sachin Tendulkar through the leanest phases and injury layoffs.
Saroj Kohli (Virat Kohli): Virat Kohli has always credited his success to his parents. After losing his father early, it was Saroj Kohli who guided a young Virat Kohli. The India captain Virat Kohli was inspired by his mom and she continues to do so.
Happy Mother’s Day: Meet Super Moms of Indian sports who have nurtured these Super Champions
Naseema Mirza (Sania Mirza): While being a mom is difficult, it’s more so for a sportsperson who is a woman. Not only they face the societal stereotypes in raising a girl, who plays a sport, but also need to understand what she goes through in different phases of life. India’s greatest-ever female tennis player Sania Mirza’s mom Naseema Mirza would understand. In a conservative family, she raised Sania Mirza to play a sport in India that was dominated by male players. Naseema Mirza is the greatest inspiration for multiple Grand Slam winner Sania Mirza.
Usha Rani Nehwal (Saina Nehwal): Those who saw Saina Nehwal taking the badminton arenas in India by storm would know who Usha Rani Nehwal is. Recently, Saina Nehwal’s biopic made her immortal. But for those who don’t know, even after years of success and dominating the sport in India and the world, Usha Rani Nehwal still accompanies Saina Nehwal to tournaments, including the Olympics and even some of the press conferences. She is the reason why Saina Nehwal became a champion and an Olympic medallist, besides Pullela Gopi Chand of course.
Happy Mother’s Day: Meet Super Moms of Indian sports who have nurtured these Super Champions
Leela Raj (Mithali Raj): Raising a cricketer isn’t easy but it’s even more difficult if the cricketer is a girl. Leela Raj had to go through every difficulty while raising Mithali Raj, India’s one of the greatest ever cricketers. Behind every run Mithali Raj scored, Leela Raj’s contribution could not be said enough. Leela Raj fought every stereotype to make Mithali Raj a champion.
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