Every profession, except that of lawyers and doctors, has a retirement age and there comes a time when you need to bow out. World is getting younger and so should the elders if they want to survive the progressive world before them. Technology is changing fast and generations whether young or the old needs to keep pace and adapt to the changes brought forth by technology. Many are trying to keep themselves fitter and mentally sharper and though their bodies are aging but minds are sharp and they can access information at the click of a finger.
In corporate world retirement age forces one to end one’s career even if one is fit mentally and physically to continue further. This is to give youngsters a chance and bring fresh ideas to the table. Passion plus interest is the new modus operandi and people are making their living by following their dreams.
In sports as one used to age the opportunities were limited and he used to be alone in his retirement but today things are changing. There are fitness regimes, diet control to prolong careers and even look for alternative careers. In cricket for example, there is good money, it is a big business.
Yuvraj Singh has been a very successful Indian cricketer and when he announced retirement a year ago, one felt he deserved to finally rest and relax. A year in oblivion was enough to draw him back to his favorite sport. He has requested the BCCI to grant him permission to play domestic cricket again as he wants to represent his home state Punjab.
Players such as Yuvraj, Dhoni, Raina and so many of the other senior lot of cricketers who have retired, or are on the verge of retirement, need to be encouraged to continue doing service to cricket for their state associations. The BCCI should allow them to play T20 league cricket tournaments around the world, if they so desire, once they have officially retired from representing the country.
