Vijay Amritraj goads Delhi to run

New Delhi, Oct 11 (UNI) A nation of arm-chair critics, India should put on it's running shoes and hit the road if they are to make a mark in mother of all sports--athletics, exhorted tennis great Vijay Amritraj.

A brand ambassador of Sunday's Hutch Delhi Half Marathon, the former Davis Cup captain said apart from the athletes, common people should also hit the street.

''We need to excel in athletics and make our mark there. We have had a few good runners. The likes of Shiny Wilson, PT Usha and a host of women runners came tantalisingly close of medals, while the men runners also missed some here and there. Enough of watching it on television or reading about it, it's time common people also join the run,'' he told reporters here today.

''We are a sports crazy nation and have made long strides in the last 10 years in games like tennis, golf, motor racing. But we need to encourage people to run. You can't have a better exercise than running and doctors too recommend it. So even the common people should join the run.

''As a former player, I know how important running is for the athletes. But in India, we prefer to be arm-chair critics. We love watching it, reading about it and then criticising someone who is not doing well. In a land of arm-chair critics, I guess I have become one. But I have been on the other side of the equation and I feel athletes need to be encouraged,'' he said.

Amritraj also rubbished the notion that marathon or half marathon is not a spectator's sport.

''I don't think so. In fact the last mile or kilometre is quite exciting with a pack of runners trying to pip each other to the post. It's great fun and quite an excitement, no question about that. But I think half marathon can well be a participatory sports, rather than being confined to a spectators' sport,'' he added.

The former player also asked federations to make best use of the retired players.

''Practice technique and other aspects of any games have undergone a huge change but I think the mental make-up remains the same as it was in our days. I think former players can definitely play an important role but you have to use them the way they can be useful.

''Personally, I'm always there and would be available whenever I can be of any use,'' he added.

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