BCCI arranges cricket-training camp in Shillong

After a thrilling win by the Indian cricket team in the 2011 ICC World Cup, the game of cricket is rapidly gaining popularity in the northeast. A nine-day long under 19 training camp was organized recently in Shillong under the aegis of Shillong Cricket Association and the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI). Youngsters are dreaming of making it as big like master blaster Sachin Tendulkar and Indian cricket skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

"The northeast boys are very strong. You never know that there might be a fast bowler hidden somewhere here. All we need to do is to tap this young talent and give them correct guidance to make them into better players," said Bhaskar Pillai, Coach, National Batting Academy, Mumbai. Both bowling and batting coaches, who came in from different parts of the country during the camp, assessed the participants on various parameters and guided them how to hone their skills. The young cricketers grabbed every piece of valuable available from the experts. Players requested for more such camps so that they can learn more.

"I am fond of cricket and want to play for India in the future. I want to represent the northeast so that it can come at par with other states in cricket also," said Akhilesh Saini, a participant from Arunachal Pradesh. "We feel good here and we are getting to learn a lot from here. We are learning from the coaches and will try to maintain what I have learnt from them. And in future I want to play big for my country," added Shahadat Khulakpam, a participant from Manipur. (ANI)
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Yuvraj presented Audi Q5 for World Cup show

The spate of gifts for the victorious Indian World Cup cricket team continues. As promised, German car major Audi on Thursday presented a brand new Audi Q5 to Yuvraj Singh for his performance in the recently concluded mega event. Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri and Audi India chief Micheal Perschke presented the keys to the car, considered among the sportiest and most elegant SUV in its class. "I would like to congratulate Yuvraj on being declared the Man of the Tournament at the World Cup 2011. His performance on the cricket field has made us all proud," said Perschke.

Perschke said that it was cricket which first brought Audi to India as an Audi 100 was gifted to Shastri for his winning performance at the World Cricket Championship in Australia in 1985, where he was declared the Champion of Champions. On his part, Yuvraj said he was happy to be presented with the swanky car. "It is after 28 years India brings the World Cup home. It is an honour to be chosen and felicitated by Audi as they continue their tradition," Singh. Audi, with its four rings on the grille, has had a deep-rooted relationship with cricket over the years.

The memory of the 1985 Indian team's victory lap in the Audi 100 continues to live on in the minds of Indian cricket fans even today. "My association with the iconic brand Audi began 26 years ago, when I brought home the country's first ever Audi. I am happy to see Audi India take this tradition forward and continue to recognise the achievement of champions in the cricketing field," said Shastri. He added that Yuvraj, with his versatility, consistency, talent and thirst for excellence, has set new benchmarks in the cricketing world.