10 Most Famous Sports Personalities & Their Jobs

Famous Sports Personalities - Mahendra Singh Dhoni Lieutenant Colonel, Indian Territorial Army

Famous Sports Personalities & Their Jobs

Over the years, there have been a plethora of players who have represented the nation in different kinds of sports, but only a few made an impact and won hearts. An inspiration to the entire world, these sports personalities have made our nation proud on a number of occasions, showering us with a bundle of joy and happiness. And, because of these contributions, the Government of India has conferred these players with honorary ranks at the highest level.

Here’s look at a list of popular sports personalities and their respective jobs:

#1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Lieutenant Colonel, Indian Territorial Army

Mahendra Singh Dhoni Lieutenant Colonel, Indian Territorial Army

The man who led India to 2011 World Cup triumph, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been stealing our hearts ever since he arrived at the big stage. The former Indian Captain has given us a list of trophies, including ICC World Cup 2011, ICC T-20 World Cup 2007, ICC Championships Trophy 2013 to name a few.

MS Dhoni became a household name in the Indian cricket ever since he led India to win the T-20 World Cup, held in 2007 in South Africa. However, the Indian Territorial Army conferred Dhoni with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel after he won India the 2011 World Cup.

Recently, after the completion of the 2019 World Cup, MS Dhoni surprised everyone when he told BCCI to serve the Indian Army for a two-week period as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army unit of the Parachute Regiment. He performed the duties of patrolling, guard and post duty with his 106 TA Batallion.

#2. Kapil Dev: Lieutenant Colonel, Indian Army

Kapil Dev Lieutenant Colonel, Indian Army

The man behind India’s first-ever cricket World Cup triumph, Kapil Dev is a legend of the game. A man who inspired thousands of youth to pick up a bat and a ball, Kapil Dev led India to win its first-ever World Cup in 1983, beating a daunting West Indies side in the final.

The former Indian captain was honoured with Lieutenant Colonel position in the Indian Army in the year 2008. The then Army chief General Deepak Kapoor did the honours at the Defence Ministry headquarters, South Block.

“I was very happy and delighted to serve in cricket. Now I am equally happy and more proud to wear my country’s Army uniform. I hope and am sure I can serve them to the best of my abilities,” Kapil Dev told reporters.

#3. Sachin Tendulkar: Indian Air Force Group Captain

Sachin Tendulkar Indian Air Force Group Captain

A man who made us fall in love with the game of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar will be remembered as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. The master-blaster has represented his nation in as many as six World Cups and also holds the record for the most number of runs in World Cricket.

The legendary cricketer has not only made us proud on the field but off the field as well. For those of you who are not aware, Sachin Tendulkar was the first Indian athlete to become a part of the Indian Air Force. Sachin was presented with the honorary rank of group captain in the Indian Air Force in the year 2010. Interestingly, he was the only Indian cricketer who was included as a member of Rajya Sabha of the Indian Parliament.

#4. Abhinav Bindra

Abhinav Bindra

A pride to our nation, Abhinav Bindra is the first Indian to bag a gold medal in Olympics. The former professional shooter won a gold medal in 2006 World Championships. The professional shooter also holds four gold medals in Commonwealth Games.

Owing to his impressive performances over the years, Abhinav Bindra was conferred with the honorary position of the Lieutenant Colonel by the Indian Territorial Army. Besides that, he is also the CEO of his Abhinav Futuristics- a company dealing with brands related to sports, medical fitness, and rehab equipment in India.

#5. Mary Kom

Mary Kom

A fighter on and off the field, Mary Kom is the only woman boxer in the world to have won a medal in each of the World Championships. She won six consecutive Gold medals in World Championships and also has 5 gold medals to her name in Asian Championships.

The Indian boxer has not only told us about overcoming obstacles but also winning in spite of repulses and defeats. After winning the bronze medal in London Olympics in 2012, the Manipur Government promoted the boxer to the rank of Superintendent of Police in the Manipur Police Department. In addition to that, the Manipur boxer was also nominated by the then President of India as the member of the Rajya Sabha on April 26, 2016.

#6. PV Sindhu

PV Sindhu Deputy Collector

Indian female shuttler, PV Sindhu isn’t an unknown name in badminton. Sindhu took the world by surprise after winning her first-ever gold in World Championships in 2019. With the triumph, she also became the first Indian to do so.

A household name in Kabaddi, PV Sindhu has a wide range of accolades to her name. PV Sindhu was appointed as the Deputy Collector by Andhra Pradesh Government.

The then Chief Minister of the state handed over the appointed letter to the badminton star at the Secretariat.

#7. Ajay Thakur: Deputy Superintendent of Police

Ajay Thakur Deputy Superintendent of Police

A star raider in Kabaddi, Ajay Thakur is popularly known for spilling magic with his raids on the Kabaddi mat. Hero of India’s 2016 Kabaddi World Cup-winning team, Ajay Thakur scored a super 10 against Iran in the final of the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup.

Going by his World Cup performance and consistent show in Pro Kabaddi, Ajay Thakur was appointed as the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Himachal in 2017.

#8. Anup Kumar: Deputy Commissioner of Police

Famous Sports Personalities - Anup Kumar Deputy Commissioner of Police

One of the veterans of the game, Anup Kumar led Indian Kabaddi Team to Asian Games triumph, South Asian Games, and the 2016 World Cup. Anup Kumar took the world by storm in the first season of Pro Kabaddi, becoming the highest scorer with as many as 169 points to his name.

The former Indian Kabaddi player is currently employed as Deputy Commissioner of Police. Anup’s father Ran Singh Yadav represented as Subedar in the Indian Army.

#9. Vijender Singh: Deputy Superintendent of Police in Haryana

Famous Sports Personalities - Vijender Singh Deputy Superintendent of Police in Haryana

Indian professional boxer, Vijender Singh has a list of accolades to his name. Vijender Singh made heads turn when he became the first-ever Indian boxer to win a medal in Olympics. At the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, the Indian boxer defeated Carlos Gongora 9-4 in the quarter-finals to win Indian bronze. Singh also has a list of medals in World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Asian Championships.

Under The Bhupinder Singh Hooda Government, Vijender was appointed as the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Haryana. However, his position came under the scanner when he decided to turn into a professional boxer and calling it quits from his Amateur career.

Vijender Singh has also been honoured with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Padma Shri award owing to his spectacular performance in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

#10. Hima Das: HR Officer in Indian Oil Corporation

Hima Das is Famous Sports Personalities

Born in a small town of Dhing in the state of Assam, Hima Das is an inspiration to millions. Hima Das represented Asian Games in 2018, held in Jakarta and bagged gold in both Women singles and a mixed event.

Hima Das was appointed as an HR Officer in the PSU major Indian Oil Corporation. She has been handed over the position by the then Chief General Manager as a Grade A HR Officer and was posted at her state office in Guwahati.

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