Want India to become sports-playing nation: Tendulkar

India legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday said that his aim is to transform a sports-loving India into sports-playing India

India legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday said that his aim is to transform a sports-loving India into sports-playing India.

"On number of occasions I have mentioned that India is a sports-loving nation but not a sports-playing nation. That is why my aim is to transform India into a sports-playing nation," he said, talking to reporters at a function in South Goa district.

When it comes to health, there is always scope for improvement, he said.

"I know we all like to feel fit. But the statistics, the numbers, do not say so. There is plenty of room for improvement. That is the message I want to give to everyone," he said.

Sachin noted that when it comes to picking a career, the mindset is changing.

"Parents are open-minded now. You have so many celebrated chefs and professional dancers. India is slowly, slowly changing," he said.

"Today the choice is not just confined to whether you  want to be a doctor or an engineer," Tendulkar said.

Recently, Tendulkar made headlines after he stated that he would hate to give away two points to Pakistan in the World Cup. He stressed on the fact that not playing Pakistan may backfire India in the tournament. Instead, India would be better off beating Pakistan than forfeiting the June 16 tie.