Hyderabad: It is election time and we can see several personalities from the sports field who have been fielded by political parties. Sports personalities are star campaigners and have mass appeal for which parties field them. Some have been into politics for some time now, while few are making their political debut.

Here's a list of sports personalities who have turned into politicians.

Gautam Gambhir: Delhi boy and cricketer Gautam Gambhir will be making his political debut this Lok Sabha elections. He is a BJP candidate from the East Delhi constituency. The Padma Shri awardee and former Indian opening batsman, who retired from cricket in December after a 15-year stint, had joined the party last month.

Mohammad Azharuddin: Cricketer-turned-politician Mohammad Azharuddin will be contesting in the elections. Azharuddin, one of the star campaigners of the Congress, is the working presidents of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC). His Lok Sabha seat is yet to be announced by the Congress.

Kirti Azad: Former cricketer Kirti Azad will be contesting from Dhanbad Lok Sabha constituency in Jharkhand. Azad, who was suspended by the ruling BJP for anti-party activities, had joined the Congress in February.

Rajyavardhan Rathore: Olympian shooter-turned-politician Rathore is the sitting lawmaker in Jaipur Rural. He will be contesting as BJP candidate from the same seat. He has won several medals at various international championships.

Vijender Singh: 33-year-old Olympic bronze-medallist boxer will be contesting from South Delhi constituency. He will make his political debut as a Congress candidate for the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections.