Margao: One of the best cricket coaches in Goa, Sandeep G Naik is a man known for his forthright approach. And when he speaks, his words are bound to make an impact. Coaching at the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) Regional Coaching Centre at Fatorda, coach Sandeep has moulded the talents like Darshan Misal (Ranji Team captain, selected for Duleep Trophy) Suyash Prabhudesai (Played for RCB) and Mohit Redkar (Selected for High Performance camp) among others; despite various constraints none more gloomy situation than the unavailability of indoor net practice area in the monsoons. For such talents emerging in Goa, the only way to make it to Team India is the necessity of a healthy bench strength so that the players can deal with the pressure to perform on a consistent basis, says experienced coach Sandeep.
Sandeep spoke elaborately to www.thegoancricketer.com about various cricketing facets in the present times. Here is the full interview.
Q. You have turned raw talents into Ranji Trophy stars, what is the secret of your coaching success?
A. There are absolutely no secrets as the same basics are imparted as other coaches do. I kept my ‘teaching techniques’ very simple, but put in extra sessions/played matches during holidays etc. to expose the trainees on the actual field of play. I learnt a lot from my guru Shri Chandrakant Chede Sir who was very strict as far as cricket was concerned, I think it just rubbed on me and time to time guidance from our SAG’s former Executive Director Shri. VM Prabhudesai, who was always there personally when I needed him, especially when I was demotivated and down. They played a big role in my success.
Discipline is still the most important content in my programme; it requires a lot of discipline to practice learnt techniques. It requires lots of patience to practice a learnt technique over and over again to reach a certain stage of perfection. Many have criticised the discipline part, parents were unhappy, but the performance is there to assess the impact.
I will always back the belief that a strong foundation is necessary for good productive growth; the age between 11 to 15 years is the most crucial phase for understanding the need of strong basics.
Upgrading knowledge time and again, taking the opportunities to discuss cricket with players who have played at the highest level of the game, interacting with coaches from different states and countries, this has helped me upgrade my skills to teach at the higher level when needed. Qualifications are requisites but reading, interacting and understanding is more important. To be frank, at present I learn from my trainees who are playing at the higher levels and yes, I am proud of it. Hard work pays, I believe in hard disciplined work. These players are my medals, my appreciation certificates and awards. I am honoured to have been their coach.
Q. What are your insights on Goan cricket talents emerging in the last decade as compared to the past?
A. The past was all about passion for the game. In the present, it is a profession. Nothing wrong about it and therefore there is more competition within the players. Players with calmer minds will excel. There will be disappointments, but that’s what one has to fight against by performing every time, one is out there to reach the higher levels. The present players look more stable and determined to play at the highest level, physically and mentally. The recent performances by the youngsters have put a lot of pressure on the existing players, and this is surely going to be good for Goan cricket.
The ‘former Masters’ have to interact with the present ‘Masters to Be’. One thing I have always done, was to introduce our past cricketers to the new generation; they are the steps on which this generation is standing and showcasing their talent. The former cricketers should make their presence felt during matches played by juniors, interacting and motivating these young aspiring cricketers.
Q. Lot’s of private academies have come up in Goa, how do you analyse the scene compared to the SAG’s network of RCCs?
A. The more the merrier, it is great if these private academies come up to help Goan cricket. MCC Academy has been doing well for the past many years. I am happy to hear Panjim Gymkhana coming up with one and Sagun Kamat being the mentor there will surely help a lot. Recently Murlidhar Talekar has started his own academy and he has been doing consistently well, his trainees will vouch for his hard work! Private academies are a boon for the future of Goan cricket only if the Coaching part is taken care of seriously. Cricket is in safe hands as our one and only Level 3 qualified NCA coach Shri Vinod Dhamaskar, who has a lot of experience and players under his belt, has also started an academy and nurtures young talents. So it’s good for Goa’s aspiring young cricketers.
SAG has too many centres and therefore providing facilities and equipments is a concern, we are faced with serious difficulty during rains (4 to 5 months), as till date SAG does not have even one Indoor Cricket Nets at any main centre of Goa (I have been coaching on the corridors of the Fatorda Stadium since 1996) although it is a fact that maximum players are products of these RCCs. Someone has to personally look into the matter. We get a lot of co-operation and motivation from our Director of Coaching, Arjuna Awardee, Shri Bruno Coutinho who really has a very tough task of getting the coaches to perform without the required basic infrastructure.
Q.What’s your analysis of young trainees’ parents mindset in the present times?
A.Wow! That’s a great question. Start coaching today and ask tomorrow ‘How good is my Son’?Parents involvement is very necessary and I really appreciate their struggle against time as they manage the working and dropping off the child at centre. Hat’s off to them!
At the same time, they should understand that coaching is a long process as there are different stages of learning and understanding (since each boy is different physically and mentally) the techniques and their use during matches. I feel the parents should allow their child to grow; coaching classes are also like schools, where the parent drops the child and goes about doing their chores. Constant criticism of his failure will only lead to more failures. Parents should have patience and allow the boy to grow. I am of the opinion that the parents should allow the child to enjoy the game.
Q. What is required to bridge the gap between being a First Class cricketer to Team India member?
A. Dealing with pressure on and off the field and truthful assessment of one’s own performance. We require a good bench strength as it constantly reminds and puts pressure on the existing players to perform; “Perform or perish” the players will understand their needs to keep performing. The important factor is exposure, the team players along with the ones on the bench have to be fielded against good teams in neighbouring states, we will know where we stand against these teams and a programme can be organised for the future.
A strong bench at all the levels will ensure that these boys will take up the challenge to reach the Indian team…and also bring out the best from our present players, there will be a lot of pressure to perform, and that’s exactly what is required (How to Handle Pressure) to play at a highest level and represent Team India, and presently it is very encouraging to note that the GCA is backing their players by selecting them to play at the higher level.
