Dubai: Former UAE captain and national team selector Khurram Khan has urged budding cricketers to work hard and be dedicated to bettering their skills during all practice sessions.
Speaking at the G Force Cricket Academy’s 12th year celebration and launch of their indoor summer camp at the Dubai Sports World premises at the World Trade Centre, Khurram’s advice to over 150 budding cricketers was: “It is important that every time during practice sessions, one should make sure to work as hard as possible on their skills. It is important to avoid complacency even if you may have achieved some success.”
Khurram went on to narrate an incident from the ICC 2015 World Cup while representing the UAE. “We were in Wellington in New Zealand and Sri Lanka was practising there. Kumar Sangakkara, despite getting two consecutive centuries in the World Cup, was practising near our nets. We were amazed by his hard work as he batted for nearly an hour. He was an in-form batsman but he still continued to work hard. The result was he went on to hit four consecutive centuries in the World Cup.”
Khurram, who was instrumental in the UAE qualifying for the 2015 World Cup through his splendid all-round performances, asked the youngsters to never hesitate to seek coaches’ help to correct their techniques.
The function was attended by cricket enthusiast and businessman Shyam Bhatia, who has set up a cricket museum and rewards cricketing excellence in UAE cricket through the Bhatia awards. He invited all young cricketers at the camp to visit his museum and be inspired by the history of the game exhibited on the walls of the museum.
Gopal Jasapara, head coach of the G Force Academy, and his team of coaches will be conducting the indoor camp until mid-August. “Considering the tremendous summer heat, it is the right time for indoor training and we would be having various activities to sharpen skills during this period,” said Jasapara.
Former Dubai Cricket Council secretary Mohammad Lokhandwala, Wings XI owner and cricket promoters Neeraj Ramamoorthy and Rohit Bachani of Marlin also addressed the gathering. Lokhandwala urged youngsters to have an idol and work towards achieving glory like their idols. The majority of the cricketers revealed that Virat Kohli is their idol but many wanted to emulate AB De Villiers too.
The large gathering of parents also sought advice from Khurram on whether their children can excel in cricket by playing in the UAE. Khurram then distributed trophies and certificates to 150 youngsters.
Meanwhile, G Force will also be participating in a cricket festival in England in July.
