Scholarships for aspiring cricketers up for grabs

HYDERABAD: Building a career in sports is not easy in our country. Apart from all the pressures, the most damaging for a youngster is the financial needs. Many a promising youngster has had to give up on his dreams just because he couldn't find the resources to give wings to his aspirations. In a bid to help youngsters overcome this 'disability', one of the country's 'biggest talent hunt' is all set to commence this month with the first trials to be held in Hyderabad on October 28.
Delhi-based Magpie Sports Group (MSG) will be conducting a series of trials in various cities across the country before the main camp in Chandigarh."India is an ocean of cricketing talent but with limited opportunities to get exposure overseas. That is why a majority of budding as well as aspiring Indian cricketers face hurdles in this no-good-enough circumstances," said Manish Chaudhary, chairman of MSG.
"We want to provide a dynamic platform to get his much needed exposure at an early age through this talent hunt, so that going forward they can become world-class cricketers," he added.
MSG will conduct trials for youngsters in the 12-25 years age group in all the major cities. The best kids will be selected to participate in the main camp where they will be judged by international scouts. The first trial will begin in the city at BSporty Cricket Academy in Madhapur and Adarsh Sports Club in Bachupally. The trials will commence at 8 a.m. on October 28.
The next trials will be held in Nagpur, Jammu and Pune on November 10, 18 & 24 respectively. The company will announce the other venues and dates in the next few days.
The five-day main camp will be held at the Tau Devi Lal Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh from January 10 to 14 next year. Top international players like Saqlain Mushtaq, Albie Morkel, Herschell Gibbs, Darren Gough, Matthew Hoggard and Kyle Mills will select the top 48 talented cricketers from the camp.
These youngsters - 16 in a batch - will go on a training tour to England, South Africa and New Zealand where they will get a chance to train with a reputed club or academy for a month. The expenses for this tour will be fully paid in the form of a scholarship by MSG.