Coaching stint has been exciting, says Rahul Dravid

Batting legend Rahul Dravid on Monday termed his current stint as India under-19 and India ‘A’ cricket team coach as well as his mentorship of young athletes in Olympic sports as “exciting” and “fun” as he was helping them in their quest for excellence.

“For me, mentorship or coaching under-19 team is really helping young people on their journey, the same journey possibly that I had. It’s really an opportunity. It gives me a platform to share my experiences, some of the learning I had over 20 years of sports,” Dravid said at a programme organised by GoSports Foundation here.

The programme seeks to promote young athletes in different disciplines and groom them for Olympics by providing personalised mentorship from Dravid, the former India batting stalwart.

Speaking about his association with GoSports Foundation programme, Dravid said it afforded him a chance to set young people on a path similar to the one he took when growing up in cricket.

“To be able to try and hopefully help a lot of young athletes in fulfilling their dream and making their journeys possibly bit easier in a difficult and tough environment,” the former India captain said.

“It has been exciting, fun part of being retired now, to coach cricket teams, or under-19 or working with these 19 athletes with GoSport Foundation,” he said.

The Aditya Birla Financial Services Group joined hands with the Rahul Dravid Mentorship Programme, which is aimed at supporting the country’s next generation Olympians.

In addition to offering financial scholarship, the programme also provides mentorship and quality career guidance to some of India’s most talented athletes, it was announced at the media briefing.

On the upcoming U-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh Dravid said, “I think, there is always good potential and good young talent.  They are growing and going to represent India.”

Preparations begin

Meanwhile, the U-19 team began its World Cup preparations at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru on Monday. The Rishab Pant-led side went through its first, albiet a brief one, indoor training session though the Dravid-led support staff are expected to join the camp only on Tuesday.