HYDERABAD: For the 40-odd young cricketers, hailing from slum areas in Amberpet, it was firsthand coaching from two English spinners _ Samit Patel and Scott Borthwick _ and their bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed at the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Works Ground on Monday afternoon.Organised by the Zubi Cricket Academy, the three cricketers interacted with the children and gave them a few tips on spin before leaving for the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium for their practice session. “You have to enjoy the game but at the same time, have to work hard for success. To be a good cricketer, you have to be happy and respect your coaches and elders,’’ 21-year-old leggie Borthwick advised the budding cricketers.Mushtaq Ahmed, former Pakistan spinner, inquired about the academy and was impressed with the facilities given to the poor children. He advised the children to make use of the opportunity. It was a dream come true for young spinners like Amir, Tahir and Arif. “They taught us how to grip the ball and showed different variations,’’ said Arif. According to B Miraj, president of the academy, most of the boys’ families are very poor. “Some of them come from families of vendors and auto-drivers and a few are street children.We brought them to the camp after convincing their parents,’’ said Miraj.Miraj disclosed that about 150 boys were called and of them, 60 were selected for intensive coaching. “The boys are given free shoes and cricket kits. Some of them are talented. Given proper coaching, they can be good cricketers.Some of the young pace bowlers like Naresh, Siraj and Iraj bowl at 120 kmp,’’ said Miraj.The boys are also given free education at Achiever School of Excellence at Nacharam. “These boys are eager to educate themselves,’’ said P Mehnaz, principal of the school. Some of the children, according to Faiyaz, son of Miraj, are picked from the railway station and streets. “We have a programme to give them education,” he said.
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