New Delhi: The sporting fraternity on Friday congratulated hoopster Satnam Singh Bhamara after he became the first Indian to be picked for a National Basketball Association (NBA) League team, hailing his historic achievement as an "inspiration" for the youth of the country.
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar led the former and current sportspersons in congratulating the 19-year-old Punjab lad Satnam for his achievement.
The 7-foot 2-inch tall Satnam was the 52nd pick in the NBA Draft for the Dallas Mavericks.
"I am very happy for him. It is a big achievement by an Indian sportsman and we are all proud of him. I would like to wish him all the best for the coming season and his career. I am sure the entire nation will support him," Tendulkar told NDTV.
The 2004 Olympics silver medallist shooter and now Union Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore took to twitter to congratulate Satnam.
Congratulations Satnam Singh.. Indian Youth once again break the Glass Ceiling. Nothing is impossible!! https://t.co/wrG5LSNpFS
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) June 26, 2015"Congratulations Satnam Singh.. Indian Youth once again break the Glass Ceiling. Nothing is impossible!!
"Congratulations Satnam Singh! First Indian to make it to NBA. Great achievement," ace shuttler Jwala Gutta wrote on her twitter handle.
Congratulations Satnam Singh! First Indian to make it to NBA. Great achievement :)
— Gutta Jwala (@Guttajwala) June 26, 2015Indian Premier League cricket teams Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals also congratulated Satnam on his achievement.
Outside the sporting fraternity, Bollywoood superstar Amitabh Bachchan expressed his happiness on the historic moment.
"#SatnamSingh first Indian player to be in the NBA .. congratulations !! India goes to NBA .. now time for NBA to come to India ..!!", he tweeted.
Being the 1st ever Indian player to be drafted in the NBA #satnamsingh has created history. And opened the doors of the NBA to India.
— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) June 26, 2015"Being the 1st ever Indian player to be drafted in the NBA #satnamsingh has created history. And opened the doors of the NBA to India," Abhishek Bachchan tweeted.
Another Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar tweeted: "Keep on shining #SatnamSingh, 1st Indian national to make it to the NBA! Had met him last year, what an inspiration!"
Keep on shining #SatnamSingh,1st Indian national to make it to the NBA! Had met him last year, what an inspiration! #DallasMavericks #proud
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) June 26, 2015
