‘Great opportunity to serve young people’: From tennis court to politics, Leander Paes joins BJP

New Delhi: The great Indian tennis Leander Pace Joined on Tuesday bjpcalling it a “great opportunity to serve young people” as he enters public life ahead of a crucial election. The 51-year-old, who remains one of India’s most decorated athletes, was inducted into the party in the presence of federal ministers including Kiren Rijiju.Marking a transition from sport to politics, Pace described the move as a moment of responsibility rather than symbolism. “The fall in party membership is not just a blunder but a responsibility to serve the nation,” he said, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for the opportunity. He added that India’s young population is a critical moment to expand physical education and infrastructure and said he hopes to make a meaningful contribution in this field.Rigiju welcomed the tennis icon’s arrival and said he hoped Paes would “play a bigger game” politically and promote initiatives such as the Kelo India Initiative. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sukanta Majumdar also supported the move, saying Paes’s appeal among young people could strengthen the party’s influence, especially in West Bengal, where elections are approaching.After a brief stint in the Trinamool Congress party, Paes’ political journey is back where it started. He joined the Congress party in 2021 and campaigned for it during the Goa elections. Now, his switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party makes him one of a growing number of high-profile athletes entering politics.On the court, Paes’ career spanned more than three decades, winning 18 men’s and mixed doubles Grand Slam titles and a historic bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. His partnership with Mahesh Bhupathi (known as the “Indian Express”) brought global recognition to Indian tennis, while his Davis Cup performances made him a national figure.Reflecting on his journey, Pace said he had “served his country for 40 years” and now wanted to focus on empowering young people through sport, including promoting equal opportunity scholarships for women. His entry into politics marked his attempt to translate his sporting legacy into public service as he prepared for new, more complex arenas beyond the baseline.