Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar delivered his Parliament speech on Facebook reiterating his desire to transform India from being a sport-loving nation to a sport-playing nation, reports the NDTV.

He spoke of how fitness must be the primary priority of a young and developing India and how playing an active sport would help the nation achieve its fitness goal.

Sachin Tendulkar was supposed to make a rare speech in the Rajya Sabha, of which he is a nominated member, on Thursday. But shouting Congress MPs drowned him out. So the cricket legend delivered his Parliament speech on Facebook Live on Friday, saying, ‘There were things that I wanted to say yesterday but couldn’t.’ Sachin reiterated his wish to transform India from a sport-loving nation to a sport-playing nation. He spoke of how fitness must be the primary priority of a young and developing India and how playing an active sport would help the nation achieve its fitness goal. Ït is my endeavour to transform India from being a sport loving nation to a sport playing nation. I urge you all to participate in this effort and make my dream, our dream. Always remember, dreams do come true! Jai Hind,’ the video caption says.

Tendulkar also appreciated the North-East of India for its sporting culture. ‘The North-East of India, which has only 4 per cent population of India, has a vibrant sporting culture,’ he said.

‘It has produced many sporting heroes, including our boxing idol, Mary Kom.’ Tendulkar also loisted out names like Mirabai Chanu, Dipa Karmakar and Baichung Bhutia.

On Thursday, Sachin Tendulkar stood for almost 10 minutes in the Upper House of Parliament, waiting to make his speech. Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, who is also chairman of the Rajya Sabha, asked the Congress’ protesting lawmakers to sit down and listen to what the cricketer had to say, but to no avail.