World Cup coin released

Sachin Tendulkar, the man with the Midas touch, finds his face on a World Cup limited edition commemorative gold medallion. The quarter ounce, 24 carat medallion, issued jointly by the Corporation Bank and Societe Generale to commemorate the 1999 World Cup at England, sports the embossed face of Tendulkar on one side and the slogan "Support India 1999" on the other. The medallion, made of 24-carat gold and priced at Rs 4500, was launched by Kapil Dev, the captain of the 1983 World Cup champions.

The coin depicts the face of Tendulkar on one side and the words, `Keep the faith' and `Support India' on the other. The medallion is designed by Australian Stuart Devlin, who is also the man behind the commemorative coins of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.Tendulkar, who was there at the release function on Friday night, said: ``It's great feeling and I will always keep it (the coin) close to my heart he added. Also present on the occasion were Tendulkar, Robin Singh (sr), Ajit Agarkar and the skipper of the 1983 World Cup winning Indian team, Kapil Dev.

Asked about his feelings on the medallion, Tendulkar said: "I am really very honoured. I would like to keep it close to my heart and try to follow in Paaji's (Kapil Dev's) footsteps and bring back the World Cup. "It does not matter whether cricketers win it or athletes and wrestlers do, as long as they win it for the country. So I am happy it (the medallion) is for everybody," Tendulkar said.

Hoping that Tendulkar would recover from his back injury soon, Kapil said, ``I am not a betting man and I don't bet on cricket but still I offered to pay Sachin Rs 1,000 if he could play for the country continuously for ten years, and he got injured six months after the deadline ended'', said the former skipper.

Tendulkar, who was standing next to him, retorted: ``I have still not received the money.''

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