Tendulkar urges youngsters to stop being couch potatoes

"By 2020 India is set to be the youngest nation by population. But in obesity we are number three. A young and unhealthy population is a perfect recipe for disaster. What India needs is more participation in sporting activities," said the cricket legend at a function here. "Sports is my life, it is like oxygen to me, it is difficult to live without it. So many people call it a profession, I don't like to call it a profession; I call it a passion. I have always been passionate about sports," said Tendulkar. He also expected Indian spectators to gather in big numbers and cheer the national under 17 team during the October 6-27 FIFA Under 17 World Cup to be held in six cities in the country.

"I stared when I was 16, so you will see some world class players playing and I am looking forward to this tournament. A World Cup in any sport is competition at the highest level with players not wanting to compromise or give even an inch to the others. I was in Rio (last year during the Olympic Games) and saw rugby 8 featuring women. I never knew it will be so physical. It was incredible to watch," he said.