New Delhi (India PRwire) – India may well have found four promising pacers of the future.
Thanks to Gatorade Pacers 2010, the innovative talent-hunt initiative by the world’s largest-selling sports drink brand Gatorade, Vrinder Singh (Mohali, U-19), Gurudas Shenoy (Mumbai, U-22), Maninder Sidhu (Mohali, U-22), Raman Chahar (Delhi, U-22) have got a lifetime opportunity to hone their bowling skills at the ICC Global Cricket Academy (ICC GCA) headed by former Aussie great Rodney Marsh for seven days.
The four aspiring pacers were chosen after an intense nation-wide one month-long talent search by Gatorade Pacers 2010, spearheaded by former Indian fast bowler Manoj Prabhakar. The four youngsters will also be joined by the winners of the Gatorade Pacers 2007-2009.
Speaking immediately after his selection, an excited Raman Chahar, who hails from Delhi, said “This is an opportunity an aspiring cricketer such as me can only dream of. Thanks to Gatorade Pacers, I got this chance to showcase my talent, and now this golden opportunity to visit Dubai to train at the ICC GCA. Playing for my country in the future is possibly no longer just a pipe dream.”
Ms Geetu Verma, Executive Director – Innovations and Business Development, PepsiCo India Holdings, said “Gatorade Pacers has over the past three years emerged as a definitive benchmark in identification and grooming of young pace bowlers in India. It gives us an immense sense of fulfillment to be able to play a constructive role in the nurturing of these talents in the country. I am sure the ICC Global Cricket Academy – with all its top-notch coaches and state-of-the-art training facilities – will further help these youngsters develop their skills.”
Mr. Rodney Marsh, legendary Australian cricketer and Director of Coaching, ICC Global Cricket Academy, said, “The ICC Global Cricket Academy and Dubai Sports City are delighted to host the winners of Gatorade Pacers. The ICC GCA provides state-of-the-art modern training facilities and international coaching guidance to talented young cricketers, and we are really looking forward to having these budding fast bowlers here and help sharpen their bowling skills. It’s an exciting prospect to see the next generation of Indian pace bowlers from close quarters and train them. This is a wonderful initiative to encourage and support promising sportsmen. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the selectors of Gatorade Pacers who have helped choose these best of the best out of thousands of participants from across India; after a comprehensive one month selection process.”
Mr. Manoj Prabhakar, who has played the role of Chief Selector and Mentor at the Gatorade Pacers 2010, said “I am absolutely excited about the promise of these four talented pacers. Brand Gatorade is doing an extremely good job for Indian cricket by unearthing raw talent and giving them a platform to reach for greater heights. This opportunity to the youngsters to train at the ICC Global Cricket Academy is just fantastic…cricketers of our generation did not have this kind of opportunities. I am sure they will take full advantage of this chance to come back better bowlers.”
Gatorade Pacers 2010 was launched in Mumbai on 15th December, 2010. The selection process involved measuring bowling speed with a speed gun coupled with expert’s assessment of action, fitness, accuracy and potential of the bowler.
Gatorade Pacers’ 2010 edition saw over 5200 aspirants from over 2500 schools, colleges, Sports Clubs as well as State Cricket Associations across India in the regional rounds. These rounds were held for U-15, U-19 and U-22 talent across the seven cities of New Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore.
Image: India PRwire
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