My sister was an athlete. Every time she came home during her break, I would accompany her. Initially, I took part in school sports, but gradually, my sister encouraged me to take it up professionally.
My father was a big influence. He kept telling me to pursue football, always. He always encouraged me and my brother.
I was playing sports all the time, and my parents, Anne and John, encouraged me to play in grade school and high school.
Mum always encouraged us to run, she was very athletic.
My senior year of high school, when I was getting recruited for college, my dad goes to me, 'You can become an Olympic champion.' And that's the first time that I'd heard someone else say that to me. I was like, 'Uh, are you talking to me?'
I want to encourage more people in small villages to take up sports.
We encourage the growth of women's hockey.
My dad was a keen cricketer - he played at school and club level - but it was hard for him to find time for it because he was a farmer, so he encouraged me and my brother.
We want to encourage the young ones to learn and get some confidence in sports. It's fun and keeps you active and moving.
I wouldn't particularly say I liked rugby but it got us playing football.
Both my parents were amateur badminton players. My father is a scientist and wanted me to be a doctor. But my mom was very aggressive and loved badminton. She pushed me right from the age of nine to take up the sport.
I had jumped about 6.40 metres with no training, no run-up, and certainly no skill, when this big, good-looking guy came up to me and told me I could be great.
A lot of parents today come forward to encourage their daughters to take up sport because they feel women's cricket is growing in India and they can make a profession out of it.
It's nice I inspire the kids. tThat's the most important thing, and more people are now playing tennis, even for fun. That's great.
