Double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar Tuesday called for the appointment of cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as the next sports minister of India.
Sachin will play his farewell Test match against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium starting Thursday.
"Sachin should become the sports minister of India," Sushil said at a conclave organised by the India Today Group.
The wrestler appealed to every sportsperson that Sachin should be an inspiration to them.
"Followers of Sachin always learn from him and every Olympian should learn from him," he remarked.
Indian tennis star Sania Mirza also heaped praise on the batting great and said that life won't be same without Sachin Tendulkar.
"There will be people who will keep the legacy of Indian cricket but it will never be the same without Sachin. As athletes, we have grown up with his presence," said Sania.