Hyderabad: It was celebration time in the state cricket circles on Wednesday as the HCA felicitated its president Arshad Ayub for being named manager of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming World Cup, and Indian women’s team captain Mithali Raj for being conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award.
The hall adjacent the club house at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium wore a festive look with the HCA office-bearers, club secretaries, former cricketers as well as selectors thronging the place to soak in the success of the two Hyderabadis.
Arshad and Mithali were kept busy by the well-wishers who lined up to congratulate them.
Mithali was clearly moved. “My association with HCA goes back much before the (Women’s Cricket Association of India’s) merger with the BCCI (in 2007). HCA has always extended support and the facilities whenever I needed them. Today, I am honoured and privileged to be part of Hyderabad cricket,” she said.
(Photo: DC)
Former Hyderabad women cricketers (from left) Vanitha Viola, Sree Rekha and Anna Maria congratulated Mithali Raj on being conferred the Padma Shri award, during the function.
Arshad said “the Hyderabad cricket family” was “a close-knit community, which I am proud to be part of.” He promised to work for the betterment of the game in the region as he announced the launch of HCA’s satellite academies in Uppal, Madhapur and Boys Town in the Old City.
“The one at Uppal will have a variety of wickets turf, astro-turf and cement ones,” he said. “We have also drawn up plans to improve the game in all the eight districts (of Telangana which fall under HCA’s jurisdiction). Leagues with 10 teams each are also set to be started in the districts,” he said, vowing to implement the plans in the next two months.
