Cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar is playing the role of an ideal senior player post his retirement. At a recent prize distribution ceremony in Mumbai, he urged all the top corporates and MNCs to recruit sportspersons. This idea comes from the master blaster right after his suggestion of playing 14 players in a side at the inter-school level, which would enable all the youngsters to be part of the match.
The right-handed batsman was present at the prize distribution ceremony of the 69th Police Invitation Shield Cricket Tournament 2016-2017 held at the Mumbai Police Gymkhana ground. In his speech, he adjured the big companies and corporates to start employing sportspersons, so that they are able to perform better after being ensured of a job security.
According to The Times of India report he said, “One change which has taken place in Mumbai cricket, which I’m not so pleased about, is the job recruitments. I think, earlier, there were less contracted players. Players had job security, which is missing today. I think that brought out the best in players.” He further added, “As far as financial security was concerned, they didn’t have to worry, and be focused on the game. And that had a solid, positive result for Mumbai cricket. I’m not by any means saying that players today don’t give their best, but that job security is missing somewhere. So I use this platform to urge all our big companies, multinationals to start employing sportspersons. That’ll give them support and security.”
On another note, he appreciated Mumbai Cricket Association for taking up his 14-a-side team idea at the school level.
Tendulkar said, “Also recently I noticed that Mumbai schools (have) finally adopted my suggestion, which I had made in 2013 when I retired, of using 14 players. And I would like to congratulate MCA and thank them for all the support. Though it came little late, it’s better late than never.” He further explained, “The idea was to have 14 member squad and give more opportunities to players. To me, I feel, inter-schools the career is possibly 48 months, if you end up playing for 4 years, and out of those, if you are playing knock-out games and you don’t end up playing because of the pitch conditions. I mean, on a turning track, why would a coach want to play three fast-bowlers, he would play three spinners and fill the other gap with batters or an all-rounder, but very unlikely to have three fast bowlers.”
He said that he felt the 14 member squad would increase the standard of the game and even though the result is not very evident now, it’ll be clear a few years down the line. He explained a lot too, from a kid’s point of view. He felt that the kid must know that he’ll be bowling one delivery or batting at least, for the school team and that’s when the parents start to support them. “But once they know, the kid has not played the whole year, the kid is back home without playing a single match, that is where the interest levels drop and the parents don’t support their children enough. I think it is extremely positive move by MCA and Mumbai schools,” Tendulkar added before signing off.
The tournament was won by Karnataka Sporting Association. They defeated MIG Cricket Club in the final.