You couldn’t blame the pupils for being starstruck when India international Ravichandran Ashwin visited three Kings’ Schools in Dubai last week.
The 31-year-old spin master took time out from his busy schedule to fly into the UAE and interact with kids at the three campuses of the school’s network – Kings’ School Dubai, Nad Al Sheba and Al Barsha on Thursday.
It was part of his visit to the Emirate where he launched his new academy – the Gen-Next Kings’ Cricket Academy.
The institution, which has seen Ashwin’s Chennai-based Gen-Next Cricket Academy and Kings’ Schools join hands, has already been training the stars of tomorrow since the new term began on September 15.
Ashwin got a first-hand look of the fantastic facilities that the schools boast and having posed for pictures with pupils, the 2011 World Cup winner passed on his knowledge to 55 budding cricketers at the academy, based in the Al Barsha campus.
Sanjay Ramesh is no stranger to picking the brains of Ashwin. The 15-year-old has travelled twice to Chennai to train at his academy and believes his latest session with the Indian star will help him step up his game.
“I have trained with Gen-Next and Ashwin a couple of times before,” he said. “I was very excited to see him today. My experience in the indoor nets and his motivational speech was very inspiring and his tips on drills made me realise the importance of fitness on the sports field. I am looking forward to train under such a great legend many more times.”
Sami Khan said he was taken by surprise when Ashwin gave tips on how to be effective behind the stumps.
“It was a huge and pleasant surprise when Ashwin began to give me one-on-one wicket-keeping coaching,” said the 11-year-old.
“His drills were different to anything I have been taught before. He gave me great encouragement and I felt an immediate improvement in my glove work.”
Kobus Olivier, director of the academy, said it was an experience the kids will never forget.
“It was a dream come true for our boys today,” said Olivier, who is a Level 3 coach and former CEO of Kenya Cricket.
“Our High Performance Programme boys faced Ashwin in the bowling nets for a full session while he took them through his unique fielding drills and shared his experience with them. A genuine masterclass by one of the best cricketers in world cricket.
“Gen-Next Kings cricket academy is truly setting the benchmark for cricket academies in Dubai.”
