The pressure of expectations for quick results from the parents is a matter of serious concern when one talks about promotion of sports in contemporary era, feels India’s cricketing great and Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor V.V.S. Laxman.
“Any young talent needs the complete support of the family for sure. My parents said they would give me complete freedom between 17-22 years and if by that time I were not to play for India, I was advised to stop playing the sport itself,” recalled Laxman, mentor of Pro Star League under-16 cricket championship.
Laxman had an interaction with all the eight teams in the morning at his VVS Sports Academy on Sreenidhi International School campus here - flying into the City from Mumbai at 4. 00 am and going straight to the venue to be with them at 6. 30 am!
“Ideally, a parent should take a call in which discipline their kid should be good at when she or he is 19. But, one has to really work hard for hours, make a critical evaluation, be honest to self and emotionless in taking the final call,” Laxman said.
“And, you have to be good in all three departments if you decide cricket as your career,” he told the young cricketers.
Huge inspiration
“We were asked what was our goal after we crossed 15 by our coach Arshad Ayub. When I told him that I was keen to play under-16, he shot back that it could not be, given the fact that a Sachin Tendulkar was facing the Pakistani pacers at that age in a Test series in Pakistan,” he said.
“That one comment was a huge inspiration for me and since then I always dreamt of playing for India. So dream big and chase the goals,” he added.
Reflecting on what the young talent needs in terms of support, Laxman felt that the Government should develop infrastructure at grassroots.
“In schools, even if sports is made compulsory, what purpose will it serve if they don’t have qualified coaches,” he asked.
“That is why private sports academies are an integral part of India’s dreams and aspirations to be a sporting power. The best example being Gopi Chand’s Badminton Academy. Honestly, he is a role model for all of us too,” Laxman said.
Co-founder of pro Star League Pooja Mody and well-known commentator Ayaz Memon were also present.
