VASCO
Goa Cricket Association (GCA) on Monday distributed cricket kits to 19 schools in Mormugao taluka.
GCA Secretary Vipul Phadke, Dr Baban Parulekar, several GCA officials and physical education teachers from various schools were present at a function held at Almeida Hall in Vasco.
Speaking to mediapersons, Phadke said the kits were to be distributed to the schools in March, but couldn't be handed over due to the Covid-19 pandemic disruption.
"GCA had organised U-14 and U-16 tournaments for schools in Mormugao. While we had planned one-day matches of 40 overs, some came together to change the format of the tournament and make the matches a two-day event, where children played for two days and even scored double centuries.
“This change in the format was a game-changer for cricket as every student had to slog it out for two days and work hard towards achieving victory for the team, giving them more exposure on the ground," said Phadke. "This time, we gave chance to all enthusiastic student cricketers for selection. However, only one student was selected to play for the Goa team.”
Phadke said the GCA, while responding to requests, would soon provide pitches and nets to schools. Dr Parulekar lauded the GCA’s decision to conduct tournaments for U-14 and U-16 teams.
South Goa GCA Coordinator Rupesh Naik said GCA had organised U-14 and U-16 tournaments in 2019. While U-14 tourney had 2-day matches of 90 overs, the U-16 was a single-day tournament of 40 overs. “The tournament was well supported by teachers and parents. We realised that young students could play for two days in the field and we got to see a lot of talent,” said Naik.
