New Delhi, Jul 7: Yuvraj Singh, who has recovered from a rare germ cell cancer, feels “honoured” that the BCCI has again sent his nomination for the prestigious Arjuna award and is hoping that he will be more lucky this time.
“It's an honour that BCCI has nominated my name for the Arjuna Award. This is the second time that my name has been nominated and I hope that I am lucky enough to get it,” Yuvraj told mediapersons at the launch of the “YouWeCan”—an initiative by Yuvraj Singh Foundation, to spread awareness about cancer detection.
The BCCI has decided to nominate Yuvraj for the award. Incidentally, the BCCI's decision came after a miscommunication with the Sports Ministry regarding the last date for filing the nomination form.
The BCCI had alleged that they did not have an intimation about the nomination like earlier years, a claim which was strongly refuted by the Sports Ministry.
However a couple of days back, the Joint Secretary in the Sports Ministry Mukul Chatterjee called up at the BCCI office to inform about the date of nomination being extended till July 20.
Although Virat Kohli has been a standout performer last year, the BCCI has decided to nominate Yuvraj's name since he is one of the seniormost cricketers who is yet to
receive the award.
His contemporaries like Virender Sehwag,Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Gautam Gambhir have all received the award.
Though he has recovered from cancer, the cricketer felt that the “scars will remain forever” and he was fully aware that he has now become a role-model for patients who are fighting against the dreaded disease.
“I know I am the face of cancer patients in India. I have a responsibility towards them. It is important to send a positive message. I want to spread awareness among peoplesuffering from cancer. I want them to be positive and they shouldn't be afraid.”
“Being a normal human being and getting to breath fresh air” is something that Yuvraj feels that he is blessed to experience after being affected by the dreaded disease.”
He did admit that he was very worried about his health during the World Cup.
“I wasn't able to sleep. I told my physio that I sensed that there was something terribly wrong with my body. Yet it was World Cup and I didn't want to get in touch with Nitesh
(oncologist Dr Nitesh Rohatgi) as he would have conducted tests, he wouldn't allow me to play.
I was praying to God that whatever happens to me, I need the World Cup.”
“I never had any complaints that I was affected by cancer. It was more of a sense of disbelief than shock. It took a while to get my mind back on track,” he said.
The most touching moment of the interaction came when Yuvraj revealed that how his mother came to know about his illness before him.
“When I met the doctor and he told me about my illness,the first thing that I said to him was that my mother shouldn't be informed about it.
However the doctor told me that he has informed my mother before informing me. My mother has been like a pillar of strength for me. She has taken care of me just like any mother does it for a two-year-old."
“It's an honour that BCCI has nominated my name for the Arjuna Award. This is the second time that my name has been nominated and I hope that I am lucky enough to get it,” Yuvraj told mediapersons at the launch of the “YouWeCan”—an initiative by Yuvraj Singh Foundation, to spread awareness about cancer detection.
The BCCI has decided to nominate Yuvraj for the award. Incidentally, the BCCI's decision came after a miscommunication with the Sports Ministry regarding the last date for filing the nomination form.
The BCCI had alleged that they did not have an intimation about the nomination like earlier years, a claim which was strongly refuted by the Sports Ministry.
However a couple of days back, the Joint Secretary in the Sports Ministry Mukul Chatterjee called up at the BCCI office to inform about the date of nomination being extended till July 20.
Although Virat Kohli has been a standout performer last year, the BCCI has decided to nominate Yuvraj's name since he is one of the seniormost cricketers who is yet to
receive the award.
His contemporaries like Virender Sehwag,Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Gautam Gambhir have all received the award.
Though he has recovered from cancer, the cricketer felt that the “scars will remain forever” and he was fully aware that he has now become a role-model for patients who are fighting against the dreaded disease.
“I know I am the face of cancer patients in India. I have a responsibility towards them. It is important to send a positive message. I want to spread awareness among peoplesuffering from cancer. I want them to be positive and they shouldn't be afraid.”
“Being a normal human being and getting to breath fresh air” is something that Yuvraj feels that he is blessed to experience after being affected by the dreaded disease.”
He did admit that he was very worried about his health during the World Cup.
“I wasn't able to sleep. I told my physio that I sensed that there was something terribly wrong with my body. Yet it was World Cup and I didn't want to get in touch with Nitesh
(oncologist Dr Nitesh Rohatgi) as he would have conducted tests, he wouldn't allow me to play.
I was praying to God that whatever happens to me, I need the World Cup.”
“I never had any complaints that I was affected by cancer. It was more of a sense of disbelief than shock. It took a while to get my mind back on track,” he said.
The most touching moment of the interaction came when Yuvraj revealed that how his mother came to know about his illness before him.
“When I met the doctor and he told me about my illness,the first thing that I said to him was that my mother shouldn't be informed about it.
However the doctor told me that he has informed my mother before informing me. My mother has been like a pillar of strength for me. She has taken care of me just like any mother does it for a two-year-old."
