Former India stumper and Director (Operations) of Andhra Cricket Association M.S.K. Prasad, is donning a new role as marketing manager. He is embarking on a sojourn to London to market the association’s infrastructure.
The ACA has readied state-art-of stadiums and academies in the coastal and Rayalaseema areas since 2009. “We have spent crores of rupees and like to generate revenue by offering our facilities to Englishmen. My trip to London is to meet some county heads and interact with them about the infrastructure available,” said Mr. Prasad before his departure.
The ACA has stadiums at Visakhapatnam and Mangalagiri and four academies at Vizianagaram, Kadapa, Mangalagiri and Guntur. The one at Guntur is exclusively for women.
Mr. Prasad will give a power-point presentation and distribute a colourful booklet comprising the unique selling propositions (USP) of the stadiums and academies.
“I have already got a confirmation for a meeting from Bucks Cricket Club, Berkshire Cricket Club, Marylebone Cricket Club and a noted cricket tour operator Mr. Alan. Efforts are on to meet head coaches of Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire,” he said.
The week-long trip was also aimed at striking deals with cricket administrators for the exchange programmes from either side for the benefit of the young players. The booklet, apart from highlighting cricketing facilities, has information, on the areas of tourist importance. “Players from abroad can have a dual benefit. They can harness their skills and also visit places of tourist interest”, he added.
Mr. Prasad is also in touch with the Asian Cricket Council’s Development Officer Venkatapathy Raju, to promote the facilities to the ACC members such as Qatar, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE and Bahrain. “Cricketers from England, prefer to practice at Dubai and Sri Lanka during the rainy season as they often have an extended rainy season in United Kingdom. We want to tap the market,” he explained.
He also felt that the improved air connectively to Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati will lend a helping hand in attracting cricketers from aboard.
