Master Blaster Sachin to Receive Australian Honour

Bangalore: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is set to receive an exceptional civic honor from longtime on-field rival Australia. The iconic cricketer is all set to become the first Indian sportsperson to be conferred with the Membership of the Order of Australia, an honour “rarely” bestowed on non-Australians.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard made the announcement while visiting a cricket clinic in New Delhi and said Tendulkar would receive the honour from Simon Crean, Minister for the Arts and Minister for Regional Australia, when he visits India.

The 'Order of Australia' is an order of chivalry to recognize Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service. The Master Blaster will be awarded an AM, which is one of the six grades in the Order of Australia.

“Cricket is of course a great bond between Australia and India. We are both cricket-mad nations. I am very pleased that we are going to confer on Sachin Tendulkar, membership of the order of Australia (AM),” Gillard said.

“This is a very special honour and very rarely awarded to someone who is not an Australian citizen or an Australian national. He is away playing cricket - surprise, surprise but the award will be conferred on him by minister Crean when he visits India,” she said.

She added “So, a special honour and a very special recognition of such a great batsman. The honour is very special and Sachin is a very special cricketer."

(With PTI inputs)