Former India cricketer Ashish Nehra conducted a mentoring session for trainees of Panjim Gymkhana Cricket Academy (PGCA) here on Wednesday evening. He also launched the jersey for PGCA, which has over 110 trainees honing their cricket skills at the iconic cricketing organisation in the state of Goa.
Nehra spent over one hour mingling with the PGCA trainees, ranging from the age-group of 9 to 14 years, while enjoying his interaction with the enthusiastic boys and girls. Nehra, who has now settled in Goa, inquired with the children about their school and places where they lived. He also told them that he will be coming to the PGCA whenever possible.
In his address to the children, Nehra advised them to keep playing cricket and also other sports; while also asserting that they should also play on Saturdays and Sundays as he praised the high quality facilities developed by Panjim Gymkhana. “You have to use these fantastic facilities to the maximum and play for Goa and India,” Nehra told the PGCA trainees, who were excited to take the autograph of the Gujarat Titans head coach.
Nehra, who stepped on to Panjim Gymkhana ground for the first time way back in 1994 for an under-16 match, also underlined the all-round benefits of doing sports from a young age saying: ” Sports is one thing that will allow you to do anything for that matter – even academically, music, art. So, it is a great bonding via team sport. They are also growing mentally and physically, so it is great to spend time here so close to the river, it is a great place to be at.”
The officials of Panjim Gymkhana Managing Committee and PGCA were also present on the occasion.