Sachin, Amitabh lead list of celebrities hailing NBA's first Indian recruit Satnam Singh

New Delhi: The sporting fraternity and Bolloywood congratulated hoopster Satnam Singh Bhamara after he became the first Indian to be picked for a NBA (National Basketball Association) 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.

Satnam himself was unable to contain his excitement. “The feeling is of course unreal but it has happened and I feel that my entry will certainly open the doors for many aspiring basketballers in India to dream big,” said an elated Satnam to a host of Indian journalists on conference call from the US.

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

— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) June 26, 2015

Ace shuttler Jwala Gutta wrote on her twitter handle too, hailing Satnam’s achievement.

Congratulations Satnam Singh! First Indian to make it to NBA. Great achievement :)

— Gutta Jwala 💙 (@Guttajwala) June 26, 2015

Indian Premier League cricket teams Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals also congratulated Satnam on his achievement.

The young 19 year old has made us and the entire very proud! Best of luck to you Satnam! #RoyalAchievment

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) June 26, 2015

Congratulations #SatnamSingh! @dallasmavs just gained a billion new supporters.. https://t.co/Q0fRKsfdKv

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) June 26, 2015

Outside the sporting fraternity, Bollywoood superstar Amitabh Bachchan expressed his happiness on the historic moment.

T 1910 -#satnamsingh first Indian player to be in the NBA .. congratulations !! India goes to NBA .. now time for NBA to come to India ..!!

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) June 26, 2015

Abhishek Bachchan joined in the appreciation too.

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

Another Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Dia Mirza tweeted too:

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

Awesome news #SatnamSingh!!! #Proud #NBADraft @dallasmavs https://t.co/g5bTUr6GB4

— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) June 26, 2015

With inputs from PTI