PANAJI: Having shaped the career of India women’s cricket team star batter Smriti Mandhana, coach Anant Tambavekar has been appointed as the coach of Goa women’s cricket team by Goa Cricket Association (GCA).
Tambavekar, who is now an ICC Level 1 coach, groomed Mandhana in her formative years after coming across her talent around 10 years ago when he was the Sangli district coach.
Even a few years ago, Tambavekar provided support to Mandhana when the stylish left-hander was on the road to recovery from a knee surgery, ahead of the ICC World Cup.
Talented Goan girls will now have a great opportunity to train and learn from experienced coach Tambavekar, in what should be an interesting season. With encouraging displays of last season behind them, Goa women’s cricket team will be gearing up to build on the positives of last year where they missed the knockout phase in the BCCI One-dayers Trophy narrowly. Having been the coach of the senior team last year, Anuradha Redkar will now be assisting Tambavekar, who knows exactly what is required for the girls to make it to the top.
Meanwhile, GCA will commence fitness-cum-nets camp for senior women and under-19 men’s probables, from July 19 (Monday) at Goa Cricket Academy, Porvorim.
During the GCA selectors meet on July 14, a talent pool of 29 senior women and 27 under-19 men were shortlisted for the pre-season camp. The virtual mode camps for senior men and women have been going on since last month.
Rajesh Kamath has been appointed the head coach for U-19 men’s team while former Ranji Trophy cricketer Rahul Keni will be his assistant. Ninad Pawaskar has been appointed trainer.
Convenor of the U-19 men’s team Abdul Majid attended the selection meeting along with chairman Rohit Asnodkar and members Abrar Khan and Saby Fernandes.
The senior women’s team selection was overseen by convenor Sangeeta Mazjrekar along with chairperson Daisy Fernandes and members Lizette Vaz and Krutika Naik.
Prakash Mayenkar, Director of Coaching and Cricket Operations, will be co-ordinating the camp. The RT-PCR Test for the players and support staff will be held on 17th July 2021 at GCA premises, stated a press note issued by GCA secretary Vipul Phadke.
