Navi Mumbai: Forty talented students from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) schools are set to receive free, year-long cricket training under the guidance of Sachin Tendulkar at the Sachin Tendulkar Cricket Academy, Dr. D.Y. Patil Stadium. The initiative, designed to nurture young sporting talent, aims to provide structured coaching and professional mentorship to aspiring cricketers.
The selection process, conducted over three days in Nerul, saw participation from over 1,100 students, out of which 240 were shortlisted, and ultimately, 20 boys and 20 girls were chosen for this prestigious training program.
While inaugurating the program, Tendulkar emphasized the importance of identifying young talent early and providing them with the right opportunities. He reflected on his journey, recalling how his brother recognized his potential and encouraged him to train under the legendary Coach Ramakant Achrekar. He urged parents and mentors to support young athletes not just in their victories but also during their struggles.
Academy Chief Coach Atul Gaikwad will oversee the training sessions, which will be held at Dr. D.Y. Patil Stadium. Each selected student will also receive a free cricket kit, and no training fees will be charged.
Expressing his appreciation for the initiative, NMMC Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde thanked Sachin Tendulkar and the academy for their support in shaping the future of young cricketers. He encouraged the selected students to make the most of this golden opportunity, emphasizing that persistence and dedication are key to success in sports.
With this initiative, NMMC continues its efforts to promote grassroots sports development, ensuring that young cricketers from Navi Mumbai get the training and exposure needed to excel on bigger platforms.