• Imran Khan (Pakistan). The former international cricketer and 1992 World Cup-winning captain has been announced as the prime minister of Pakistan. EPA
    Imran Khan (Pakistan). The former international cricketer and 1992 World Cup-winning captain has been announced as the prime minister of Pakistan. EPA
  • Ryoko Tamura (Japan). The two-time Olympic judo gold medallist and seven-time world champion is a member of Japan's House of Councillors, which is the upper house of the country's bicameral legislature. Allsport
    Ryoko Tamura (Japan). The two-time Olympic judo gold medallist and seven-time world champion is a member of Japan's House of Councillors, which is the upper house of the country's bicameral legislature. Allsport
  • Colin Moynihan (United Kingdom). A former Olympic bronze medallist rower and world champion, Moynihan was a Conservative member of the UK Parliament. Getty Images
    Colin Moynihan (United Kingdom). A former Olympic bronze medallist rower and world champion, Moynihan was a Conservative member of the UK Parliament. Getty Images
  • Dawn Fraser (Australia). A winner of four Olympic gold medals in swimming, Fraser has served the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in Australia. Getty Images
    Dawn Fraser (Australia). A winner of four Olympic gold medals in swimming, Fraser has served the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in Australia. Getty Images
  • Chris Laidlaw (New Zealand). The former All Blacks halfback is a member of the New Zealand Parliament. Getty Images
    Chris Laidlaw (New Zealand). The former All Blacks halfback is a member of the New Zealand Parliament. Getty Images
  • Nova Peris (Australia). The Olympic gold medal-winning hockey player-turned-sprinter was elected to the Australian Senate in 2013. Allsport
    Nova Peris (Australia). The Olympic gold medal-winning hockey player-turned-sprinter was elected to the Australian Senate in 2013. Allsport
  • Ralph Metcalfe, right (United States). The former Olympic sprinter and teammate of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin was a member of the US House of Representatives, the lower house of the country's bicameral legislature. AP Photo
    Ralph Metcalfe, right (United States). The former Olympic sprinter and teammate of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin was a member of the US House of Representatives, the lower house of the country's bicameral legislature. AP Photo
  • Kevin Johnson (United States). A former NBA player with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns, Johnson was the mayor of Sacramento. Getty Images
    Kevin Johnson (United States). A former NBA player with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns, Johnson was the mayor of Sacramento. Getty Images
  • Jack Kemp, right (United States). The former NFL quarterback for the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills was a member of the US House of Representatives and ran for the vice presidency in 1996. AFP
    Jack Kemp, right (United States). The former NFL quarterback for the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills was a member of the US House of Representatives and ran for the vice presidency in 1996. AFP
  • Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (India). The Olympic shooting bronze medallist is a member of the Parliament of India and a cabinet minister with independent charge at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. AFP
    Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (India). The Olympic shooting bronze medallist is a member of the Parliament of India and a cabinet minister with independent charge at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. AFP
  • Romario (Brazil). The 1994 World Cup-winning footballer is a federal senator in Brazil. Getty Images
    Romario (Brazil). The 1994 World Cup-winning footballer is a federal senator in Brazil. Getty Images
  • George Weah (Liberia). The former world player of the year footballer in the president of Liberia. Reuters
    George Weah (Liberia). The former world player of the year footballer in the president of Liberia. Reuters
  • Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka). A 1996 cricket World Cup-winning captain, Ranatunga is a member of Sri Lanka's Parliament and previously served as deputy minister for tourism. AFP
    Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka). A 1996 cricket World Cup-winning captain, Ranatunga is a member of Sri Lanka's Parliament and previously served as deputy minister for tourism. AFP
  • Navjot Sidhu (India). The former India batsman is a member of the Punjab state legislative assembly and serves as Minister of Local Government, Tourism, Cultural Affairs, and Museums.
    Navjot Sidhu (India). The former India batsman is a member of the Punjab state legislative assembly and serves as Minister of Local Government, Tourism, Cultural Affairs, and Museums.
  • Sanath Jayasuriya, right (Sri Lanka). The former all-rounder and ex-teammate of Ranatunga in the 1996 World Cup-winning team, is a member of Sri Lanka's Parliament. He also served as deputy minister of local government & rural development. AP Photo
    Sanath Jayasuriya, right (Sri Lanka). The former all-rounder and ex-teammate of Ranatunga in the 1996 World Cup-winning team, is a member of Sri Lanka's Parliament. He also served as deputy minister of local government & rural development. AP Photo
  • Bill Bradley, right (United States). The former New York Knicks basketball player went on to become a US senator in the upper house of the country's bicameral legislature.
    Bill Bradley, right (United States). The former New York Knicks basketball player went on to become a US senator in the upper house of the country's bicameral legislature.
  • Mohammed Azharuddin (India). The former India cricket captain is a member of Parliament.
    Mohammed Azharuddin (India). The former India cricket captain is a member of Parliament.
  • Sebastian Coe (United Kingdom). The former two-time Olympic gold medal-winning runner was a Conservative Party member of Parliament. He is now a member of the House of Lords, which is the upper house of the UK's bicameral legislature. Reuters
    Sebastian Coe (United Kingdom). The former two-time Olympic gold medal-winning runner was a Conservative Party member of Parliament. He is now a member of the House of Lords, which is the upper house of the UK's bicameral legislature. Reuters
  • Vitali Klitschko (Ukraine). The former heavyweight world boxing champion is the mayor of Kiev.
    Vitali Klitschko (Ukraine). The former heavyweight world boxing champion is the mayor of Kiev.
  • Manny Pacquiao (Philippines). The eight-weight world boxing champion combines his career in the ring with his duties as a senator in the upper house of the Philippines' bicameral legislature. EPA
    Manny Pacquiao (Philippines). The eight-weight world boxing champion combines his career in the ring with his duties as a senator in the upper house of the Philippines' bicameral legislature. EPA
  • Wesley Korir (Kenya). The former Boston Marathon champion is a member of the Kenyan Parliament.
    Wesley Korir (Kenya). The former Boston Marathon champion is a member of the Kenyan Parliament.

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Imran Khan, Manny Pacquiao and other athletes who became politicians - in pictures

As the former cricketer is set to be announced as the Pakistan Prime Minister, we look at other star sportspeople who took public office

The National

July 28, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

It's not uncommon for athletes to enter politics. Many traits needed to succeed in sport apply to government - leadership, organisation, motivation, performance under pressure, patriotism, and competitiveness are all required to thrive in both arenas.

Following the news that Pakistan cricket great Imran Khan has been appointed his nation's prime minister, above is a gallery of other athletes who followed successful sports careers with public office.

To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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