This story is from April 12, 2011

Kids bowled over by cricket craze

As the batsmen hit the ball, S Ritwik and S Raghvan pounce on to it like hungry tigers. Although just five years old, they have a singular dream: to play for the country one day.
Kids bowled over by cricket craze
COIMBATORE: As the batsmen hit the ball, S Ritwik and S Raghvan pounce on to it like hungry tigers. Although just five years old, they have a singular dream: to play for the country one day. The cricket craze has gripped Coimbatore city which is still in celebratory mode over India's victory in the World Cup. Cricket clubs, quick to cash in on the fervor, have started several summer camps to tap young talent.

"I did not miss a single match during the World Cup. I want to be like Dhoni who is the best player," said Ritwik, who has joined the Highlights Cricket Club at Kikani Vidyamandir High School. However, Raghavan argues that Sachin is the best player and there is no one can match his talent.
"There is so much interest among youngsters who are keen to imitate big players. But our role is to identify their potential and groom them accordingly and teach them the basic rules of cricket," said S S Prem Kumar, a BCCI level I cricket coach at the academy.
The focus is on physical training and technical aspects of the game, he added. There are two training sessions each day, one in the morning which renders physical training, and the other in the evening where youngsters get to the nets for batting and bowling sessions. "Soon, we are planning to introduce the bowling machine, the first in the city," he added.
"Summer camps offer an excellent opportunity for kids to develop a sense of belonging," said Sunanda Pillai, who wants her 9-year-old son to actively participate in sports. Cricket has become a common man's game and nowadays everyone wants to play it. These camps provide excellent facilities for those looking to learn the game, she added.
Sri Ramakrishna Cricket Trust, which is into its 23rd year, is planning to coach youngsters from April 15 at SNR college grounds. It is credited for producing many Ranji players, including the current Tamil Nadu Ranji player Aushik Srinivas and S Sam and Kerala Ranji player C Tejas.

"We have been grooming youngsters for so many years and we are proud to have produced so many state level players," said D Lakshminarayanaswamy, managing trustee of SRCT and the president of Coimbatore District Cricket Association. He said that often, children are taught the game the wrong way. Their camp focuses on imparting the correct way the game should be played. The club provides them with cricket kits and necessary equipment, giving opportunity to children from poor families to learn the game. The good players are absorbed into the main team which plays matches at the higher level. The players range from five to seven years in age. Training for state teams and selection camps are also conducted at the same grounds.
S Suresh Kumar, an NIS and MRF certified coach at Jolly Rovers club located in Jayendra Saraswati School at Ondipudur, said children five years and above are trained in the club. Students are trained in all the aspects of the game and special video slides are shown to improve their techniques. "India's recent victory in the World Cup has dramatically increased the response we are getting. Our camp will start from April 15," he said. J Kousik, under 16 state captain, who is a product of the club and practices there every day said that the coaching facilities has helped him improve his batting. Practice is key to success and the club holds many matches that have brought confidence to the players, he said.
R K S cricket academy, which is another leading club in the city will also have cricket camps, starting from April 15.
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