Women’s cricket has got a big push and many Mithali Rajs are in the making from the city as the Viskhapatanam District Cricket Association launches special camps to groom them. Sneha Deepti from the VDCA set the trend when she represented India against Bangladesh.
There are quite a few other players from the city who played for the State in various age groups. Encouraged by the growing enthusiasm and performance of girls, the VDCA has included an exclusive all women team, All Stars CC, in the district league.
The All Stars CC played six matches against boys’ teams in the VI division last season and came close to winning in as many matches. The matches gave more exposure to women players,” says D. Kalyani, VDCA coach who is training more than 40 players at the camp.
20 shortlisted
Twenty players were shortlisted and they would be given intensive training to make them ready for big matches, says K. Parthasaradhi, VDCA secretary.
Sneha is playing for Railways under Mithali Raj and her performance at the national level has prompted many girls to follow her, he says. “Though we give top priority to make them physically fit and encourage poor girl students by providing them kits free of cost and also tuition fee, some girls are dropping out after marriage,” says Mr. Parthasaradhi.
Kalyani says she and another coach Kavita are visiting schools to spot the talent and motivate others to choose cricket as it will give them fame and money. Selected players are given training at the VDCA B ground and VMC Stadium. After successful training, more than half-a-dozen players are undergoing training at the ACA academy.
Budding player Harshitha says her fitness levels are high now due to the training module at the camp and exuded confidence as in her case, the dream of many girls for making it to the Indian team will be realised as necessary infrastructure and facilities are available in the city. Mr. Parthasaradhi says VDCA has also started concentrating on rural and Agency areas to spot untapped potential. “As part of this we already have started a camp at Bheemunipatnam where over 50 boys underwent training.”
“We are also planning to start coaching in Araku keeping in view players from Agency areas. ITDA has already identified 10-acre land and once the land is handed over, we will start levelling the ground and setting up other facilities,” Mr. Parthasaradhi says. The NTPC has come forward to fund the proposal to develop two grounds, one on a 10-acre site at Koduru near Sabbavaram and another at Chimanapalle near Pendurty. “Once the ₹10-cr project is completed, it will give a big boost to efforts to promote the game in rural areas.”
