New Delhi: President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam on Monday extended his best wishes to the Indian cricket team playing the World Cup and asked promising sportspersons to start preparing for the Olympics next year.

"Honourable members, let us send our best wishes to the Indian cricket team playing in the World Cup tournament in South Africa," Kalam said in his address to the joint sitting of Parliament.

He also called upon promising sportspersons and sports organisations to "start preparing in full swing" for the Olympics next year.

He said the decision to host the first ever Afro-Asian Games later this year would further promote sports in the country.

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