MCA-IDBI Federal Life Insurance Launch Bowling Foundation

IDBI Federal Life Insurance and Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) announced the launch of MCA-IDBI Federal Life Insurance Bowling Foundation. The foundation has been established to hone meritorious talent and develop them into first-rate bowlers to boost the domestic and international cricketing landscape in India.

MCA selectors will select a maximum of 30 fast bowlers and 30 spinners in the 19 and above age group to be a part of the MCA-IDBI Federal Life Insurance Bowling Foundation. The training will commence from July 13, 2015, and will continue until May 31, 2017.

The training for these bowlers will be held at the SharadPawar Indoor Stadium, formerly known as the MCA Club, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, throughout the year. The MCA-IDBI Federal Life Insurance Bowling Foundation plan will be implemented in consultation with the Head Coach of the MCA Academy ChandrakantPandit.

Balvinder Singh Sandhu, the former Indian pacer and a member of the 1983 World Cup winning Indian team, will head the panel of Bowling Foundation coaches. John Gloster who was the physio of the Indian team when John Wright and Greg Chappell were the coaches, has been appointed Fitness Consultant.

The visiting coaches will be interacting with the bowlers periodically. The foundation will also equip bowlers with cricketing attire like shirts, trousers, training t-shirts and shorts.

The MCA-IDBI Federal Life Insurance Bowling Foundation has also roped in former Aussie pacer Jeff Thomson for a 2 year contract to coach the budding fast bowlers. Thommo, as he is fondly known, would spend 2 months, September 2015 and May 2016, in this season to guide young fast bowlers. Thomson is one of the fastest bowlers to have played international cricket. With an unusual slinging action, and an aggressive approach, he was a fearsome sight to batsmen in the 70s.

On this occasion, Vighnesh Shahane, CEO of IDBI Federal Life Insurance said, “As an organisation we wish to bring about a positive change that helps us shape a better future and create opportunities to realise our true potential. Sports has always inspired people to develop into responsible, mature winners who make a real difference around them; and what better opportunity for us than to partner the discovery and the nurturing of cricketing talent. I am confident that this Bowling Foundation being formed under the auspices of MCA, sponsored by IDBI Federal Life Insurance and managed by EIC will be a stepping stone for the stars of tomorrow. We are excited to be a part of the Bowling foundation and would like to thank MCA and EIC for partnering us.”

Speaking on the occasion, DilipVengsarkar, Vice President of the MCA and Chairman of MCA’s Cricket Improvement Committee, said, “I am glad the MCA IDBI Federal Life Insurance Bowling Foundation would be starting very soon that would help the upcoming Mumbai fast bowlers as well as spinners to hone their skills under the guidance of eminent former bowlers. The Mumbai teams in various age-groups need bowlers who can win matches. This is an area that MCA will need to put its might behind to make it the Mumbai team’s forces to reckon with in the various BCCI competitions. I am positive when the season begins in October we will have match winning bowlers among us which has been lacking for the last few years. I would like to thank IDBI Federal for coming forward to help Mumbai discover and train talented bowlers. I wish the Bowling Foundation all the very best.”

While thanking IDBI Federal Life Insurance, Dr. MakarandWaingankar, Director, Cricket Operations, Excellence in Cricket (EIC), said, “IDBI Federal’s keenness to establish the bowling foundation and MCA’s extensive support will truly help EIC develop the bowling stars of tomorrow. This will be a great contribution to domestic as well as international cricket. This foundation will not only help MCA spot the talent but will also facilitate its training under top coaches in the country. With Jeff Thomson’s association, the MCA – IDBI Federal Life Insurance Bowling Foundation will truly become a springboard for future success for these bowlers.”

Jeff Thomson, on his appointment with the MCA IDBI Federal Life Insurance Bowling Foundation, said, “I would like to thank MCA, IDBI Federal Life Insurance and Excellence In Cricket  for the invitation to coach the budding talent at their Bowling Foundation. I have accepted this responsibility with huge excitement and pleasure as I am always willing to pass on the knowledge I have obtained over the years.  I hope to develop bowling talent in the domestic and international cricketing circuits for India. Look forward to being on board.”