Sports and politics have found a new benchmark as many prominent sports personalities have joined political parties over the years. We have an array of sportsmen and women who've joined politics, some who're still actively playing sports and the rest who've retired. Politics, I believe, is the best way to set a precedence for the future generations who look up to sports personalities to get ample inspiration. 

If the personalities can make a difference towards the infrastructure of sports in the country, even if it's minuscule, by joining politics then their job is basically done. That's why there have been a lot of sports stars who've entered politics and led their constituencies fairly.

#WATCH Badminton Player Saina Nehwal on joining BJP: The way Prime Minister works day & night, I like it very much. I like doing something for the country & BJP is a party that is doing good work for the country, I am happy to have joined the party. pic.twitter.com/q8oHcemoLh

â ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2020

In fact, Saina Nehwal, India's ace badminton player, joined the BJP on Wednesday days ahead of the assembly elections to be held on February 8 in Delhi. Obviously, her joining the BJP is a major acquisition for the party but she would not stop playing badminton, regardless.

Here are six sports personalities who've joined politics over the years

(1) Saina Nehwal- Joined the BJP in January 2020

Sainaâs formal induction into the party was announced at a press conference in Delhi on  January 29. As we all know, the Olympic bronze medallist is one of the most successful athletes in the country, who can do a lot for the sports fraternity here. She announced that she would be playing badminton and doing work for the party, simultaneously.

"Today I have joined a party that has done a lot for the country. I hope to do a lot of good work," Saina said on the occasion.

We just wish her immense luck and hope she does well, in whatever sphere she chooses to work in.

© Twitter

(3)Mohd. Azharuddin- Joined the Indian National Congress in February 2009

One of the best fielders of his time, Azhar's cricketing career was cut short due to match fixing allegations. Azhar then joined Congress and won the 2009 Indian general elections from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, to become the member of Parliament of India. In September 2019, Azharuddin was selected as the President of the Hyderabad Cricket Association and also holds the position of a working President of Telengana Pradesh Congress Committee.

© Twitter

(5)  Kirti Azad- Joined The Indian National Congress in February 2019

Former test cricketer and a part of the 1983 Cricket World Cup squad, Kirti's cricket career was short lived. Although his stint in politics was way better than his cricket career and that was also because his father, Bhagwas Jha Azad, was Bihar's then chief minister. He won the Lok Sabha elections for Darbhanga, his hometown, in Bihar and was elected to parliament on a BJP ticket. In 2019, he joined Congress. When he fought the general elections from Dhanbad Lok Sabha constituency in 2019, he lost with a margin of 4.8 lakh, against BJP candidate Pashupati Nath Singh.

© Twitter

So, in case you're looking for a little more than just sports (although that is more than enough), in our eminent sports personalities, look no further and get an overload of inspiration from them, right here!

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