Mangaluru: KSCA honours K L Rahul

Mangaluru, Mar 31: City-based Indian cricketer K L Rahul was felicitated at an award presentation function hosted by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Mangaluru Zone in the city on Tuesday.

Awards were presented to winners of various cricket tournaments from Mangaluru zone in the programme.

Speaking on the occasion, KSCA Managing Committee honorary treasurer P Dayanand Pai said that a cricket stadium was of utmost importance for budding young cricketers from the coastal region, to enable them to represent the state and the nation in the sport.

Presiding over the programme, KSCA Managing Committee honorary secretary Brijesh P Patel said that Mangaluru zone had great potential for young talented cricketers although the lack of proper infrastructure such as a cricket stadium was a setback to the youngsters.

The vision of the KSCA is to build infrastructure in every district in the state and has began making stronger efforts to obtain land from the state government for this purpose, he said, adding that the association was also making efforts towards setting up a cricket stadium in Mangaluru.

The KSCA also wishes to revive junior cricket by conducting tournaments in the Under 14 category to encourage young aspirants to pursue cricket from their growing years, he said.

Speaking on Karnataka cricket team's winning streak in the Irani Cup and Ranji Cup tournaments in 2014-15, he lauded the performance of young cricketers from the state in retaining the trophies in successive wins. He also lauded the performance and commitment of K L Rahul for his maiden century in an international match against Australia in the 4th Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy and his triple century in a Ranji Trophy match.

Acknowledging the wishes from the association and his friends, K L Rahul said that his accomplishment in becoming a test cricketer representing India in international matches started off with a small dream and a sense of determination to work hard to achieve his goal. He extended his gratitude for the love and support from his teachers, coaches and friends.

KSCA Managing Committee chairman H Rathan Kumar welcomed the gathering. Zonal In-charge N C Girish, zonal coordinator A V Shashidhara, convenor Manohar Amin and several others were present on the occasion.