I am an Indian, will remain one for life: Sania

Two-time Grand Slam winner Sania Mirza says she is an Indian and will remain one for her life.

“It hurt me that so much precious time of the prominent politicians and the media is being wasted on a petty issue of me being appointed the Brand Ambassador of my State of Telangana,” Sania said in a statement in Hyderabad on Thursday.

“I sincerely believe that this precious time should be spent on solving the more urgent issues of our State and country.”

She was reacting to a charge made by BJP floor leader K. Laxman questioning the Telangana Government’s decision to make her ‘brand ambassador’ of the new State. The BJP leader had also said that the tennis player, who is married to a Pakistani cricketer, was the daughter-in-law of Pakistan.

Referring to her marriage with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and the criticism that she is more of a Pakistani now after that wedding, Sania pointed out: “I am married to Mr. Shoaib Malik, who is from Pakistan. I am an Indian, who will remain an Indian until the end of my life.”

“I was born in Mumbai as my mother needed to be at a specialist hospital since she was seriously unwell at the time of my birth. I came home to Hyderabad when I was three weeks old. My forefathers have lived in Hyderabad for more than a century. My grandfather, Mr. Mohammed Zaffer Mirza started his career as an Engineer in Nizam’s Railways in Hyderabad in 1948 and died in his ancestral home in Hyderabad,” Sania explained, tracing her roots to the city.

“My great grandfather, Mr. Mohd. Ahmed Mirza, was also born and raised in Hyderabad. He was the Chief Engineer, Water Works, Hyderabad and was responsible for constructing the famous Gandipet dam. My great-great grandfather, Mr. Aziz Mirza, was the Home Secretary under the Nizam in Hyderabad and worked tirelessly for relief works during the historic Musi River floods of 1908,” the tennis star, who is taking a break at her home in the city before leaving for the US Open, explained.

The 27-year-old tennis star says since her family has been living in Hyderabad for more than a century, she will condemn any attempt by any person, whosever, to brand her as outsider.

Sania signed off saying that this clarification should clear all doubts and issues.