 agencies
NEW DELHI, Feb 16: On the face of it, the oscillation between the political and playing arena, and the success they enjoy in the two contrasting fields, despite the constant to and fro, seems effortless.
But the past few days have been particularly hectic for shooter Shreyasi Singh and cricketer Manoj Tiwary, who also happen to be active politicians and public representatives at the state level. They have been juggling political duties with focussed preparation for their respective competitive outings as well.
Even as she works on improving the lives of the people of Jamui constituency in Bihar, Singh has two important sporting assignments lined up -- the ISSF Shotgun World Cups in Nicosia (Cyprus) and Lima (Peru) in March.
Tiwary, on the other hand, is already in a bio-bubble as he gears up to play for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy starting Thursday.
"It has been very hectic, it can be very difficult sometimes, training for my events and working for people," said Commonwealth Games gold-medallist shooter Singh, who is currently ranked number one in the world in the women's double trap discipline.
For Tiwary, who is West Bengal's state sports minister and MLA from Howrah district's Shibpur constituency, the time in quarantine has hardly been about binge-watching web series or making instagram reels.
The first thing he did after entering the bubble was to call up his political secretary and ask him to courier all the files related to his constituency.
"Since BCCI had a five-day hard quarantine for Ranji Trophy, I had told before leaving that by the time I enter the bubble, I would require all the files and forms sent to my Cuttack hotel address," he told PTI.
"In five days of quarantine, I was reading all the files and signing all the forms pertaining to my work as an MLA," the 36-year-old former India cricketer geared up for his 18th season in first-class cricket.
When it comes to striking a balance between shooting shooting and politics, what makes it more difficult for Singh is the fact that there is no shotgun range in Bihar, the state the ace markswoman-cum-MLA hails from.
The reigning national champion will enter the World Cup as the world number one in her event, something she tweeted about proudly.
"They say there's a first time for everything, and this definitely will be the first time that an MLA from Bihar is also ranked India's No.1 Trap women shooter and will be representing India at the upcoming World Cup !! Thank you everyone for your love and support," Singh wrote on her Twitter handle.
The 30-year-old Singh said after she is done with the two big events, she will be back to "doing work for our people and our state".
From champion boxer Manny Pacquiao to chess legend Garry Kasparov, there are innumerable examples of sporting stars turning into politicians, but not many have succeeded in doing both together.
Back home, iconic boxer and Rajya Sabha MP MC Mary Kom and another star pugilist and Congress leader Vijender Singh, who has been competing in the professional arena, are among the few names continuing to thrive in both the fields. |
