Mumbai Indians partner u-16 schools cricket initiative

Indian Premier League franchise team Mumbai Indians have joined hands with the Coca Cola Cup under-16 schools cricket tournament to spot talented players and take them under their wings.

The 20-day long Mumbai leg, commencing on January 24, would feature 32 city schools and MI have tied up with the tournament's organisers for identifying talented players for grooming, it was announced at a media conference here today.

At the all-India level, where the tournament runs in eight states and involves 700 schools over a nine-month period, coaching clinics, sports medicine and nutrition camps and training would be held for a few talented players, said former India stumper Syed Saba Karim.

"Depending on their core strength, they will also get an opportunity to further hone their skills by attending training camps under the guidance of prominent ex-cricketers," said Karim, who has conceptualised the all-India programme.

The MI-Coca Cola initiative has the full support of the franchise's captain Sachin Tendulkar, according to Karim.

"Sachin Tendulkar is taking an active interest in it."

The selected players would get an opportunity to train with the IPL franchise team.

Through tournaments like this, deserving talent will be discovered and nurtured well to match up to international standards, said MI assistant coach Paras Mhambrey.