If things go according to plan, cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar may soon be involved in a big way in promotion of sports in schools and higher education system.

Expressing his desire to work closely with the government to integrate sports into the education system, Tendulkar has written a letter to the HRD Ministry which has welcomed his offer.

Responding positively to his initiative, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has invited him to make a presentation before the Ministry.

"We welcome Sachin Tendulkar's proposal and I have already written to him inviting him for a presentation," Sibal said.

"The Ministry does not decide on the curriculum, it's either NCERT or CBSE. After we receive the presentation, we will send it to NCERT and CBSE and see how to take it forward," he said.

Tendulkar is expected to make a detailed presentation following which his suggestion on integration of sports with education would be looked into by NCERT and CBSE, a Ministry official said.

39-year-old Tendulkar, in his letter to Sibal last week, stressed on honing the potential of the younger generation and nurturing their talent as he felt that sports is being neglected in educational institutions.

His suggestions include a road map for complete overhaul of the sports infrastructure at the university and college level, he said.

The official said Sibal is keen on taking forward the proposal and is awaiting an early interaction with Tendulkar in this regard.

One of the key suggestions could also include making sports a compulsory activity and infusing greater share of sports-related activities in the course curriculum to bring in more competitive spirit.

Tendulkar suggested creation of a three-tier structure for achievement of sporting excellence asserting that the initiatives outlined would leave behind a "lasting legacies and will help convert out cherished land into hub of sporting excellence".

He suggested introducing sports in the textbooks with percentage of marks dedicated to sports and setting up of state of art finishing schools for Olympic disciplines where the country has shown potential.

The history textbook, he said, should include chapter on Indian hockey celebrating the "monumental" achievements of Dhyan Chand so that students grow up respecting sports and physical activity.

In this regard, he expressed his satisfaction over UGC already earmarking funds for integration of sports facilities within higher education set up in India.

"This is a hugely significant step and will make sports a viable career option in India," he said in his letter.

Expressing his keen desire to emulate the US sports system model in India which is totally reliant on college-university framework producing US Olympians of repute, he said, "My dream is to accomplish the same in India."

He felt mobile phones possessed by most youths today can be used for harnessing sports talent. They could be urged to sent SMS or MMS detailing their sports achievement, which experts can examine.

"If the candidate is deemed to have talent he or she will be called to access the sports facilities created within the academic framework. By making facilities available to them, the talented youngsters, sports, I expect, will get the necessary recognition and become part of India's everyday existence," he said.

Tendulkar suggested creation of a three-tier structure for achievement of sporting excellence asserting that the initiatives outlined would leave behind a "lasting legacies and will help convert out cherished land into hub of sporting excellence".

He suggested introducing sports in the textbooks with percentage of marks dedicated to sports and setting up of state of art finishing schools for Olympic disciplines where the country has shown potential.

The history textbook, he said, should include chapter on Indian hockey celebrating the "monumental" achievements of Dhyan Chand so that students grow up respecting sports and physical activity.

In this regard, he expressed his satisfaction over UGC already earmarking funds for integration of sports facilities within higher education set up in India.

"This is a hugely significant step and will make sports a viable career option in India," he said in his letter.

Expressing his keen desire to emulate the US sports system model in India which is totally reliant on college-university framework producing US Olympians of repute, he said, "My dream is to accomplish the same in India."

He felt mobile phones possessed by most youths today can be used for harnessing sports talent. They could be urged to sent SMS or MMS detailing their sports achievement, which experts can examine.

"If the candidate is deemed to have talent he or she will be called to access the sports facilities created within the academic framework. By making facilities available to them, the talented youngsters, sports, I expect, will get the necessary recognition and become part of India's everyday existence," he said.