The domination of Kadapa’s Gurukul Vidyapeeth was visible at IGMC Stadium on Tuesday as it outplayed Aravinda Model School of Mangalagiri by seven wickets in the final of the ACA-Procam International inter-schools inter-zonal under-16 tournament for Coca Cola Trophy.
The emphatic victory made Kadapa outfit eligible for the all-India tournament to be held either at Mumbai or at Bangalore in which 10 teams from various cities will vie for the national honours.
“The inter-city tournament will be held only after annual exams. The best three or four players from this tourney will be selected for an England sojourn. Twenty players will be short-listed for a training programme by the former Internationals,” said P.N. Sankaran, Director (Operations), Procam International.
ACA is providing all the necessary technical support like coaches, trainers and physiotherapists, said ACA treasurer M.A. Raheem. Leading the victorious team from the front was T. Vamsi Krishna, who scored an unbeaten 114 in the run-chase. Aravinda, batting first made 232 for eight in the allotted 50 overs with Maheep (75) and P. Sai Yeshwnath (50 n.o). Kadapa team made the score look like pittance and Vamsi along with Md. Rafi (50) helped their team reach the target by losing three wickets.
Vamsi won three awards – man of the match, best fielder and best batman. Maheep Kumar of Aravinda was declared man of the tournament.
For former India wicketkeeper M.S.K. Prasad it was a proud moment as the majority of the players from both the teams were the trainees of ACA academies set up at Kadapa and Mangalagiri recently.
ACA Central Zone secretary Koka Ramesh, ACA administrators A. Yella Rao, C. R. Mohan were present at the prize distribution function.