Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MM/AF)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore, Feb 13: Former national cricketer and present ICC referee Javagal Srinath was in the city on Wednesday, February 13.
He was in the city to lay foundation stone for the indoor sports complex at Kaprigudda which would be constructed by Manipal University. As expected, hundreds of cricket fans rushed at him to take his autographs and photographs.
Speaking to media persons, he opined that Indian pace attack is in the safe hands. Ishant Sharma is a great fast bowler and has the potential to become one of the best in the world, he said.
Meanwhile, he appreciated the work of Venkatesh Prasad as a bowling coach of Indian team. ‘Even a few failures can mar the future of a pace bowler, but Venkatesh Prasad trained them well. That is why the Indian pace bowlers are performing well,’ he opined.
Speaking on the aggressiveness of Sreesanth, he said that if the bowler is not aggressive, he is not a bowler. ‘You should leave him as he is but he should know where to draw the line,’ he advised.
India lacks sports medical facility
Speaking during the stage programme, he said that India lacks sports medical facilities and hence most of the national cricketers have to go abroad for their treatment. He urged Manipal University to start a sport medical centre.
People in South Africa do not know about Mangalore, but they know well about Manipal. Therefore, Manipal University should start a proper, full-pledged sports medical centre, he urged.
In 1996, he had shoulder problem and went around India in search of doctors specializing in sports medicine. He did not find a good doctor here and had to go to South Africa for treatment. He recovered after surgery after several months of treatment. He was fortunate because he is national player and had sufficient resources. If these problems occur at the lower level, the cricketer’s future could be at risk, he said.
For the country to produce more quality sportsmen sports should be taught as a subject in universities and schools. It is not just about playing for half an hour in the ground, he opined.
Replying to the talk by Srinath, Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor of Manipal University, said that the University is already in the process of starting a sports medical centre. An Australian university has offered to tie up with Manipal University in this regard, he informed.
Dr Ramdas Pai, chancellor of Manipal University, Dr Raj Warrier, vice-chancellor, Dr Sudheendra Shetty, dean and Dr C V Raghuveer were present on the dais.