SHILLONG: One of the most successful captains of Indian Cricket, Saurav Ganguly has advised young cricketers from Meghalaya to aim for becoming “ MS Dhoni” from this part of the world.
Speaking at a programme after laying the foundation for the Indoor practice facility at the Cricket ground in Polo, Saurav Ganguly asked the young students of the Shillong Cricket Academy to believe in themselves.
“ When you pick up the bat from now and play at different levels be it under 15-18 and Ranji, Remember, you aim is to be him (MS Dhoni) from this part of the world,” Ganguly who is also called as “Dada” said
He said that earlier in the eastern part of the country, no one expected Dhoni to be the captain of Indian Cricket team for 300 games
Terming Shillong as a one of the prettiest places in the East, he said that now the cricketers of Meghalaya have been exposed to big boys of Cricket through Vijay Hazare and Ranji trophy
Stating that there is enormous talent in the North East, Ganguly said exposure was required for the young talents of the region
Seeking cooperation of the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, he added that without the support of the Government, Cricket would not go ahead in this part of the world.
“ As you go down the road , there will be issues, challenges and hard feelings but at the end it is the 22 yard and a green field which matters the most,” he said.
Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma who is also the President of the Meghalaya Cricket Association informed that sports infrastructure which would come up for the National Games 2022 in Meghalaya would have a legacy plan so that it can be used for other sports and activities and Cricket would be a part of the legacy plans
“ We are working out a mechanism in which cricket could be involved in the infrastructures that will come up in the state so that we can host not only the Ranji games but even IPL matches,” he said
He also recalled that few years back, the Meghalaya Cricket Association had moved Meghalaya Government for a land for the construction of a stadium and they were offered a deep gorge for the stadium and they would have to take a helicopter to reach that location.
The Honorary Secretary of Cricket Association of Bengal, Abhishek Dalmiya stressed on the need to develop a full-size cricket ground in Shillong
Maintaining that they want North Eastern to grow, he said that they would like to ensure that cricket facilities were developed here in the state at the earliest.
