Teacher gives free cricket coaching to children in J&K: A government high secondary school's physical education teacher is making news for giving free cricket training to children, particularly girls. Pooja Sharma, PE teacher in Udhampur district ensured that girls get a space to practice cricket free of cost and also have a chance participate in nationals.
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Pooja Sharma was inspired to take up cricket as a career and try for nationals. But unfortunately, that did not happen for her. Now she is helping more than two dozen children inUdhampur realise their cricketing dreams.
Sharma said that she wants to explore the hidden talents of the children coming to play. Initially, she started this with only students from her school. But during the lockdown, children from outside joined in.
The decision to give free coaching to children, especially girls, was hers, but she said that the school supported her by giving her access to its premises after school hours.
A student, Sneha said that she liked playing cricket and that is why she comes for practice every day. "There are around 25 girls and 15 boys who practice under her. There is a girl Sarla Devi who played for nationals from here. I also hope that we play for nationals in future," she told ANI.
Born in Jammu, the 27-year-old Sarla Devi is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and a left-hand batswoman. She recently impressed the cricket lovers with her performance in Challenger's trophy. She was playing for India B against the India D team at Dr Gokaraju Laila GangaRaju ACA Cricket Complex at Malapadu in Vijaywada. Challenger Trophy is a selection trial for picking players for team India.
Across India, different organisations have been trying to provide cricket coaching to women and girls. Similarly, in Rajasthan, Jaipuria Cricket Academy launched Kheloday Sports Academy for women. The initiative was to provide free coaching for women cricketers.
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