MASTER BLASTER AT MRF PACE FOUNDATION

Chandigarh, 21st August: MRF Pace Foundation, a sports development initiative by MRF Ltd, India's No: 1 tyre manufacture, brings together two of the most celebrated cricketing legends. 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar joined the legendary Australian pace bowler Glenn McGrath at the MRF Pace Foundation Academy giving insights on the game while spending time with the current batch of pace bowling trainees. Glenn McGrath, the current Director of the MRF Pace Foundation encouraged the trainees to take tips on bowling, postures, body movements, pitch dynamics and more from the Master Blaster.



Also gracing the occasion were Mr. K M Mammen, Chairman & Managing Director MRF Ltd; Mr. Arun Mammen, Managing Director MRF Ltd; and Rahul Mammen, Whole-Time Director, MRF Ltd.



Over the last 27 years since its inception, the MRF Pace Foundation, has been the only dedicated facility for pace bowling In India. The academy was set up with the sole objective of identifying, nurturing and developing bowling talent in the country. Past trainees of the academy include cricketing idols like Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Venkatesh Prasad, RP Singh, Munaf Patel to name a few. They have collectively taken over 2200 wickets in various International formats of the game for India and have played a key role in the world's first T-20 World Cup in 2007 and 2011.



Looking at the potential of this academy way back in 1992 itself, the MRF Pace Foundation opened its door to other countries such as Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England and has trained over 40 pace bowlers contributing to the game beyond the Indian borders. Some of the well-known big names that the MRF Pace Foundation has to its credit are Brett Lee (Australia), Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka), Lance Klusener (South Africa), Dilhara Fernando (Sri Lanka).



Speaking on this occasion, cricketing maestro Sachin Tendulkar said, ""It was great to be a part of this session that the MRF Pace Foundation put together. It is an exceptional initiative that the Foundation is serving in spotting and promoting bowling talent. It needs steadfast and deep commitment to stay the course and having done this for the last 27 years, I feel the MRF Pace Foundation is the platform for identifying potential talent that needs nurturing in India. It's a special privilege for these budding bowlers to be trained under the mentorship of Glenn McGrath, one of the ace pace blowers the game has seen. I wish the MRF Pace Foundation the very best as they continue to contribute in developing the cricketing talent in India."



Speaking about his association with MRF Pace Foundation, Glenn McGrath, Director, MRF Pace Foundation said, "It is indeed an honor to have the Indian iconic player Sachin Tendulkar in the midst of us. It's exciting not only for the onlookers, but for ourselves as well for coming together to mentor the next gen bowlers. Cricket is something which is very close to our hearts and I am confident that the trainees in the academy will work hard and excel in this sport."



Last September 2014, the MRF Pace Foundation entered into an agreement with BCCI for training bowlers for the National team. The MRF Pace Foundation has a state-of-the-art facility in the Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School campus. With a host of well-qualified trainees and support staff, the academy is equipped with ample facilities to groom the cricketing talent coming from across the country.



About MRF Pace Foundation

MRF Pace Foundation is a sports development initiative by MRF Ltd, India's No: 1 tyre manufacture. Founded in 1987 by the late Mr.Ravi Mammen, MRF Pace Foundation is the only coaching facility in the world which is dedicated to pace bowling. Legendary Australian player, Dennis Lillee was appointed as the first Director in same founding year. With an aim to serve the country in the field of cricket, the foundation has been identifying and nurturing talent across the country. Some of the big names that the Pace Foundation has hosted in the past are legends like Jeff Thompson, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Joel Garner and Rodney Marsh to name a few. Celebrated Australian Cricketer, Glenn McGrath has been a guiding force at the Pace Foundation, playing the role of Director in the academy.

Originally Source : Perfect Relations