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Captain courageous

Captain courageous

Author: Rahul Tewari
Publication: India Today
Date: April 14, 2008
URL: http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=48&id=6575&Itemid=1&sectionid=23

As the most famous face in Indian football, skipper of the national team and one who stood by his players, Baichung Bhutia has been known in soccer circles as "Captain Courageous".

Last week, there was more proof that the sobriquet sat comfortably on the Padmashree winner, the only Indian to have played first division football in England. Selected by the Indian Olympic Association to carry the Beijing Olympic torch on its Indian leg when it reaches Delhi on April 17, Bhutia, a Buddhist, refused the offer saying he "sympathised with the Tibetan cause. I abhor violence in any form. This is my way of standing by the people of Tibet and their struggle".

He said he was not pressured by Tibetan groups and insisted it was "a personal decision. I feel what is happening is not right and I should show my solidarity in my small way". Though Bhutia rejected the offer to carry the torch in a fax message to Suresh Kalmadi, the IOA president denied having received it.

Bhutia's principled stand on the issue is in stark contrast with some of the other sportspersons who have been similarly invited to take part in the torch relay ceremony.

A top golfer said he too had been invited for the function and confirmed that he would indeed be carrying the torch. While admitting that he was aware of the goings on in Tibet, he justified his decision to go ahead with the marathon relay with the amazing explanation that "the Indian government is not protesting, so why should I?" This left many wondering if he was a Politburo member in the garb of a golfer.


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