In order to boost grassroots cricket in the region, the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) in collaboration with the Nagarjuna University will introduce a six-week diploma course for aspiring coaches this summer.
ACA top brass hopes that the course will create a pool of trained coaches which eventually will benefit young talents across the state. “We will have 30 players, including 20 Masters in Physical Education (MPED) students from the university, in the first batch. Ten people can come and join from outside. This course is on the lines of the one offered at NIS Patiala. Now individuals who want to be professional coaches have got another option closer to home,” said M.S.K. Prasad, ACA's Director, Cricket Operations.
Prasad, a former India player, counted the long-term advantages of the course. “We are keen to develop school cricket in the state. We can employ some of these coaches at the basic level so that the school kids are groomed in the right way and there is uniformity in coaching at all levels.”
“We will have some trained people who will conduct the classes. Besides, we may rope in a few international players as guest faculties. The course will have three weeks of theory classes and three weeks of practical. The practicals will be held at our academies at Mangalgiri, Kadappa, Vijaynagaram and Guntur.”
The course will include all aspects of the game, including basic physiotherapy, medicines and first aid. Some scientific aspects, for example bio-mechanics, will be covered by the university's teaching staff.
Prasad said it would be a non-profit initiative. “We will provide free board and lodging to the participants and the fees will be nominal, somewhere between Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000,” he said.
