Dubai: Former India pacers turned coaches T.A. Sekar and Salil Ankola will bolster a coaching programme for fast bowlers in the UAE.
The ‘Speed Has No Limit’ programme — organised by G Force Cricket Academy — will have Sekar, a former MRF Pace Foundation coach, and Ankola as brand icons. Together they will spot talented pacers, while UAE cricket enthusiast Shyam Bhatia will sponsor the selected youngsters for advanced training abroad.
Ankola was impressed with some of the fast bowlers here after conducting a two-day coaching clinic at Dubai Sports World. He told Gulf News: “Some of the youngsters are genuinely quick and can be groomed into top class pacers with good coaching. What they miss here is the psyche of a fast bowler, which can be developed only through good exposure. To be a good pacer, he needs strength and also to consume a monitored diet.
“It is very important that a pacer learns how to be fit. During my early days I developed my pace and fitness by reading books on fast bowling only and that affected my fitness.
“I realised my way to correct fitness only while training under Frank Tyson. So professional training is a must for pacers.”
The pacers that impressed Ankola in Dubai were 15-year-old Krishna Lakhani and Marlon Malcolm and 24-year-old Zahour Farouqui, who works with G Force Cricket Academy as a coach.
“I have always supported any programme meant to spot talent and groom them, hence I will sponsor the talented pacers,” said Bhatia.
Ankola will also be the brand icon for Crication, a tour programme that will arrange matches during top international events around the world and coach young kids.
“We will embark on a tour from August 29, watch the second One day International between England and Australia at Lord’s and play six matches. From December 19 to 29, Crication will tour India and train with level three coaches in Rajkot. And in March next year Crication will fly to Australia and play at the Bradman Oval ground,” said Gopal Jasapara, head coach of G Force Academy.
Ankola and Sekar will be joined by former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams and ex-Indian spinner Ashish Kapoor in England.
