Imphal: Newly appointed Manipur Cricket Association (MCA) head coach Shiv Sunder Das said Manipur players have a lot of potential and given the right guidance they could shine in the national cricket circuit.
Former Indian test cricketer Shiv Sunder Das, who was engaged as the men's team head coach, said in a news conference here on Sunday, "I feel privileged to coach the Manipur team as people here are passionate about sports. This is a big opportunity as the state will be featuring in the Ranji Trophy for the first time this season."
However, he said it will take time for the team to showcase its talent in its first appearance but the positive side to this is that a road map has been built. "It is my priority to train them well and bring the best out of them. It is a big challenge for me and the team," he said.
Das is currently with the National Cricket Academy, Bangalore, handling the under-16 camp. He has applied for leave to take up his new assignment in Manipur. He flew down to Manipur on Saturday to interact with the MCA officials and to inspect the ground facility. He left for Bangalore in the evening itself.
"One has to be realistic as we cannot expect outright results. It will take Manipur at least the next four to five years to make a big impact in the national cricketing scene. So my overall focus will be to share tactical skills and instil confidence in the team," he added.
He will begin his coaching stint next week.
Das, former international cricketer and BCCI level B coach, apart from coaching the senior men's team, is also likely to supervise the under-16 and under-19 boys teams.
Das has coached his home state Odisha's Ranji team and been the director of Cricket Academy, Odisha.
MCA secretary S. Priyananda Singh said, "I met Das three years ago in Shillong during a coaching camp. Since then we have been in touch and I find him very popular among the boys. So he was our natural choice while looking for a coach to handle the Manipur team. Das's salary will be borne by BCCI."
The MCA recently also appointed Puspanjali Banerjee as the women's head coach, along with other junior coaches and support staff.
