JK CRICKET COACH GETS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

IDREES GUNDROO TO TRAIN U-16 EAST ZONE TEAM

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Apr 10: In a significant development, a coach from J&K would train a national level zonal team.
 National Cricket Academy (NCA) Bangalore run by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed a well-known player and coach of valley, Idrees Gundroo to train East Zone Under-16 team.     
 It is for the first time that a coach from J&K was selected for any zonal team. 
 “We are happy to inform you that you have been appointed as coach of zonal camp for East for under-16 team which will function from April 17 to May 22 at Infosys ground, Bubnehswar, Orisssa. Former test international Atul Gaikwad will be the head coach,” reads the letter sent by Director operations, NCA, Dav Whatmore In to Idrees.
 Whatmore who was impressed by his skills during 12-day level two-specialization coaching course held at Bangalore in January this year has made the selection of Idrees.
 “In the course we were given specialized training in fielding, fitness, wicket keeping, batting, spin and fast bowling. In the camp there were coaches from all over India and from JK me and Ghulam Muhammad Bhat participated,” Idrees said.
 There are only 200 level two-cricket coaches in India at present.
 “Only 200 people have qualified level two coaching of NCA till date. Ghulam Muhammad and myself feature in the list,” he said.
 Expressing his happiness over the selection, he thanked J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) president Dr Farooq Abdullah for supporting him.
 “It is an honor for me and I think my bowling impressed Whatmore. The JKCA president and secretary were criticized for sending only two coaches to the course. They always defended the decisions and I proved them correct,” he said.
 Meanwhile, JKCA has congratulated Gandroo for his achievement. 
 JKCA general secretary, Saleem Khan said, “We are really happy to see our coach getting national recognition. Now we can proudly say that we have a national level coach.”
 Idrees started his coaching career in 2003 with 10-days level-two coaching at NCA Bangalore under the supervision of former England fast bowler and well-known coach Frank Tyson. In 2006, he participated in week-long fielding training camp in Mumbai under the guidance of former South African great, Jonty Rhodes. 
 In 2008, he participated in level-two refresher course under the super vision of Whatmore at NCA, Bangalore.
 Apart from coaching, Idrees represented JK from 1980 to 2000, playing 20 Ranji tests. He could have played more but in 1989 he left cricket when conflict started in JK. He rejoined in 1997. From 2003, he is also selector of JK Ranji team.
 Asked why JK team is not performing well at national level tournaments, he said, “Main reason is we don’t have infrastructure and the players lack commitment. We have talent, but players don’t work hard.”
 “Players practice only during Ranji season and don’t concentrate on physical fitness which is main criteria of selection in modern cricket,” he said.

published in grater kashmir on april 10 in greater kashmir http://www.greaterkashmir.com/today/full_story.asp?Date=11_4_2009&ItemID=25&cat=4