One or two problems don't make IPL bad, says Tendulkar

There may be a few problems afflicting the IPL, but senior India batsman Sachin Tendulkar today said that they don't make the entire tournament questionable.

"I think there are one or two problems in every organisation and it does not make the entire organisation bad," responded Tendulkar to a query on allegations of spot-fixing surrounding the BCCI's lucrative Indian Premier League.

Sachin Tendulkar. Photo: Atul Kamble

Tendulkar, who is set to take oath as Rajya Sabha member on June 4, advised young players to follow the people who set the right example and absorb their good qualities.

"I would definitely say this (spot-fixing) is not a good example (to set). My advise would be to follow the people who set the right example. Follow the right direction and absorb all the good qualities," he said.

Tendulkar was speaking to reporters at a function associated with the 'Coca Cola-NDTV Support My School' campaign.

A TV sting operation recently showed five fringe players connected to the IPL purportedly indulging in questionable behaviour, prompting the BCCI to suspend them besides launching an inquiry.

The cricket body has asked its new anti-corruption chief Ravi Sawani to conduct an inquiry and submit a report.

The suspended players are TP Sudhindra (Deccan Chargers), Mohnish Mishra (Pune Warriors), Amit Yadav (Kings XI Punjab), Shalabh Shrivastava (Kings XI Punjab) and first-class cricketer Abhinav Bali.

Stressing the importance of education, Tendulkar, who is the educational campaign's ambassador, said it was important to provide infrastructure in schools, and to support the education of girls.

"School days shape your life and the progress of a person starts from there. If we can bring small changes like providing basic facilities like good toilets, I think we can get the girls to attend the school instead of dropping out. "Woman is the backbone of a family and the future of a family will change if the girl is educated," he added.

Asked if he would propagate this campaign as Rajya Sabha member, Tendulkar said, "I am already involved in a lot of causes before being a member of Rajya Sabha. I don't think you need another platform to do such initiatives."

The function marked 100 schools being covered under the campaign, which started in January 2011. Tendulkar said he hoped that the milestone didn't stop here.

"As a cricketer you are never happy with a 100. Let us score a double century here," Tendulkar said.

The former India captain revealed that he had donated money on behalf of his kids Sara and Arjun, and the funds were utilised for two schools, including one in suburban Mumbai -- Priyadarshini school -- where today's function was held.

Recalling his school days, Tendulkar said," I think in my school days when we used to play together, it was about travelling like a team to Azad Maidan, Cross Maidan, Shivaji Park. Spending the day with friends at Shivaji Park beach after the match is a cherished memory. We all friends played around and had fun."