Virat is the most complete individual I know: Sanjeev Goenka

Indian skipper Virat Kohli and business tycoon Sanjeev Goenka have jointly partnered to create the RP-SG Indian Sports Honours, a platform to reward exceptional performances in line with their vision of to support the development of Indian sports.

These Sports Awards will help identify and support athletes with potential and also reward them scholarships. They are special particularly because sports journalists, sporting legends and fans will be joining hands to reward the sportspersons. The venture also includes India’s badminton legend Pullela Gopichand who will be heading the jury for selecting the heroes.

Kohli has already exempted himself from among those who will be rewarded. The 28-year-old announced a support of Rs 2 crore annually through the Virat Kohli Foundation for players from other sports in India.

The collaboration of two influential people in the cricket world is particularly interesting because Sanjeev Goenka has often expressed his liking for captain Kohli. In an interview with the Telegraph, he mentioned that he shares the same philosophy as Virat’s and showered great praise on him.

“Mukesh Ambani and Virat are the two individuals who’ve inspired me the most… I think I’d even mentioned this in an interview to you during one of the IPL editions… I’ve been inspired by Virat as an individual and as a leader. He shares the same philosophy, is down to earth and a wonderful human being. I’d go to the extent of saying Virat is the most complete individual I know.”

Goenka to continue association with IPL?

It’s also no news that Goenka would still like to be associated with the Indian Premier League after Rising Pune Supergiant’s two-year run has got over. Since teams are expected to witness a major makeover in the big auction in next year’s edition, we could see all players going under the hammer.

On being asked if he has ruled out bidding for one of the eight franchises to feature in IPL XI and if could go for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, a team identified with Virat, he said, “No comments at all. I believe all the players will be available for the auction… Well, I have been told that, but I’m not sure about all going back to the draft. Right now, I do not have a team.”