WHEN a scribe asked Vinod Kambli whether he would bid goodbye to cricket after he announced his decision to join a Maharashtra-based political party Lok Bharti yesterday, he was quick to reply: 'Nako baba. Not so early.'

Before retiring, I would like to play once again with Sachin Tendulkar. Only then will I retire," he said.



Kambli and Tendulkar's friendship is as famous as their names. So, yesterday, when asked whether he asked his childhood buddy before joining the politics, he said: "I haven't consulted Sachin this time. But I know he will support my decision," said Kambli.

Kambli also announced to open a sports academy named Khel Bharti. "There is a lot of talent in small towns and villages, but they don't have access to the required facilities. We will scout for talent at the grass root level and give them all the facilities and training required at our sports academy. We'll give them proper guidance and all the support to make them national treasures," Kambli said.

His academy will not only focus on cricket. "It will be a multi-disciplinary academy. We will have as many sports as possible. There will be experts from different fields as well," he said.