Balagolla: Despite living in the 21st century, the issue of racism still continues to plague the society. Athletes are also targeted by racism in the world of sports, irrespective of their beaming talent.
On Wednesday, Team India batsman Abhinav Mukund, who is currently with the team in Sri Lanka posted a heartwarming message on Twitter in an attempt to take a stand against the issue. The Tamil Nadu cricketer called for everyone to be comfortable in their own skin, saying “fair isn’t the only lovely or handsome”.
“I have been playing cricket since the age of 10 and I have gradually climbed up the ladder to where I am right now,” wrote Mukund in a Twitter post. “It is an honour to get the chance to represent the country at the highest level. I am writing today not to garner sympathy or attention but…with the hope to change the mindset of people on an issue I feel strongly about.”
The southpaw believes that the people, who obsessed over his skin colour, should instead focus more on his cricket.
“Ever since I was young, people’s obsession with my skin colour has always been a mystery to me. Anyone who follows cricket would understand the obvious. I have played and trained day in and day out in the sun and not once have I regretted the fact that I have tanned or lost a couple of shades,” he wrote.
“It is simply because I love what I do and I have been able to achieve certain things only because I have spent hours outdoor. I come from Chennai probably one of the hottest places in our country and I have gladly spent most of my adult life in the cricket ground,” he continued.
Mukund also revealed he chose to stay mum on the issue by toughening up. He said, “I have laughed and shrugged it off because I had bigger goals! Affected young, I toughened up because this was never something that would pull me down. There were many times when I chose not to dignify these insults with responses,” added Mukund.
The Team India opener also stated the extent of the issues with the rise of social media and called for racism abuse victims to stand up.
“With the rise of social media, it has gone to a magnitude that I see people hurling abuses left, right and centre at something I have absolutely no control over. Fair isn’t the only lovely or handsome guys. Stay true, stay focussed, be comfortable in your own skin”, the India batsman concluded.
Fans extended their support in reply to Mukund’s tweet, along with Indian cricketers Manoj Tiwary and Sreevats Goswami.
On Thursday, the Tamil Nadu cricketer posted a follow-up tweet that said the post was not directed to any member of the Indian cricket team.
“Guys please don’t turn this into something else,it has absolutely no connection to anyone in the team. It is mainly targeted at people. Who have been posting abuses about colour and saying absolutely derogatory things about the tone of my skin. That s all ! Please don’t turn this into something political,I just wanted to make a positive statement hoping to make a change. That s all.”
