ALL SMILES: Venkatapathy Raju at the launch of Cynergy Per4mers Inc. in Vijayawada on Saturday. — PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

VIJAYAWADA : More and more non-resident Indians (NRIs) should come forward for the development of sports and games in India in general and Andhra Pradesh in particular, according to national selector and former international cricketer Venkatapathy Raju.

Speaking to The Hindu on Saturday, Mr. Raju, who was here to attend the launch of USA-based Cynergy Per4mers Inc's India operations here, lauded the efforts of Ram Ganga Raju and Ravi Theerthala, both natives of Vijayawada, in establishing a sports promotion company to support the needs of the up and coming talent in Andhra Pradesh.

"Both Ram and Ravi are passionate about cricket and they play the game regularly in USA. They, along with few other sports lovers, set up the company and they are already supporting a couple of junior cricketers like B. Sumanth and Mehboob Basha. They are also planning to sponsor talented players other games like chess," he added.

He appreciated the company for deciding to host a BCCI-approved all India Twenty20 tournament for the trophy named after ACA secretary N. Venkata Rao.

Efforts lauded

Mr. Raju said he would be acting as an adviser to the company in spotting rookie talent in Andhra Pradesh.

He appreciated the efforts of Andhra Cricket Association for spreading the game in all the 13 districts under its purview and lauded the ACA itinerary. "ACA is conducting more number matches in the junior segments, thus giving the youngsters more opportunities," he pointed out.

Potential available

He said players like Guntur's M.S.K. Prasad, Vizag's Venugopala Rao and Vijayawada's N. Madhukar represented India in various age groups, proving potential is available in coastal districts.

It was a day to remember for Vizag's Monish, who made the country proud by winning the world u-8 chess championship at Georgia as the company adopted him.

Former Andhra skipper V. Vijayasarathy and former India junior player N. Madhukar will act as members of talent search panel. "They watch the performances of the exceptional budding players and suggest their names for sponsorship," Mr. Raju said.

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