Today could be the last day of training for young Mumbai bowlers at the MCA–IDBI Federal Life Insurance Bowling Foundation
Australian pace legend Jeff Thomson, the face of the scheme
Today could be the last day of training for young Mumbai bowlers at the MCA–IDBI Federal Life Insurance Bowling Foundation.
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Australian pace legend Jeff Thomson, the face of the scheme
Around 30 pace bowlers and 15 spinners have benefitted from coaching at Mumbai Cricket Association's (MCA) Bandra-Kurla Complex indoor academy through this scheme for over a year.
mid-day learns that the cricket association does not want to have anything to do with Excellence in Cricket (EIC), the promoters of the scheme.
"MCA sent a letter to IDBI telling them that if they want to renew the agreement then it will be directly between MCA and IDBI only. There will be no third party involved.
IDBI is the principal sponsor of this foundation, so things should be between IDBI and MCA only. We have yet to receive any communication from IDBI's Vighnesh Shahane (former Mumbai pace bowler)," said MCA Hon Jt Secretary Dr Unmesh Khanvilkar.
Australian speed legend Jeff Thomson, who is the face of the foundation, mentored young bowling talent along with former India Test swing bowler Balwinder Singh Sandhu and ex-India off-spinner Ramesh Powar and a few other coaches.
Last year, Shahane, the CEO of IDBI Federal Life Insurance and Makarand Waingankar, EIC's cricket operations director, joined hands to initiate this scheme. Shahane stressed that there is no contract signed between IDBI and MCA.
"There is a contract signed with regards to this bowling foundation between MCA and EIC only, so I am not obliged to reply to them (MCA). But I am still going to write to MCA," said Shahane. "MCA said that they are not happy with the performance, but as a sponsor I am very happy the way EIC provided the best facilities to all the boys," he added.
IDBI could move scheme to other states
Shahane also expressed his desire to move the bowling scheme to other associations. "Other cricket associations want to start a similar scheme. I can also get good mileage from these states. I started with Mumbai because I played for Mumbai and I love Mumbai cricket, but if they don't want it, I have no problem moving to other associations where we have a better market as an insurance company," Shahane added.
Recently, the foundation's two young pacers — Tushar Deshpande and Minad Manjrekar - benefited from a one-month training stint in Queensland. Meanwhile, Khanvilkar added: "Bowlers who are training in this foundation are from Mumbai and that is the main gain for MCA. Other than that, MCA is not getting any thing from it."
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