Though the decision is taken by an independent honours committee in Britain, he said: “I am sure people recognise that just as Sir Don Bradman and others got the honours as honorary knighthoods for work they did for cricket, for sport and for extending cultural links and sporting links between countries and across the world, there is a strong case for those who make huge contribution as to sports,” Brown said here.

“Sachin Tendulkar is one of the great cricketers of the world,” he said addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Brown also applauded the Indian cricket team for its Test victory over Australia in Perth, noting that the Indians had brought to a halt the dream run of the Australians who had won 16 matches in a row.

Noting that cricket is one of the great things that binds the Commonwealth together, he said there was a time when top cricketers from the countries in the grouping would be recognised by the British people through its honoured system. “It used to be the case that great cricketers from the Commonwealth would be recognised by the British people through our honoured system — we think of Sir Don Bradman or Sir Gary Sobers,” Brown said.

He rued that this “function of the empire” has fallen into disrepair now that most of the Commonwealth countries have opted out of the honoured system and have their own honours. “But I believe it was a good tradition to celebrate the achievements of the great Commonwealth cricketers — it shows we are good at sports and I would like to see some of the great players of the modern era — like Sachin Tendulkar —proposed for honorary awards — so the British nation can salute their achievements in one of our national sports,” Brown said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also said that India would receive a grant of 3.6 million pounds under a 9 million pound investment program to support sporting projects in five developing countries around the world. The pilot is the start of a larger programme called ‘International Inspiration’ which will deliver on the promise made to the International Olympic Committee in Singapore of engaging and inspiring the youth of the world through sport.