Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar has expressed his joy regarding the approval of a memorial for his late coach, Ramakant Achrekar, by the Maharashtra government. The memorial, a six-foot statue, is set to be erected near gate No. 5 of Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
Ramakant Achrekar was not only Sachin Tendulkar’s childhood coach but also a significant influence on the iconic batsman’s career. He established the Kamath Memorial Cricket Club at Shivaji Park, where he mentored several other notable cricketers like Vinod Kambli, Ajit Agarkar, and Sanjay Bangar. Sachin Tendulkar expressed his gratitude for the decision to honor Achrekar’s legacy, stating that being at Shivaji Park forever is what the revered coach would have desired.
Achrekar, who passed away at the age of 87 on January 2, 2019, received the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2010 for his contributions to Indian cricket. The upcoming memorial will pay tribute to his remarkable coaching legacy and the impact he had on numerous cricketers’ lives.
Sunil Ramachandran, a former captain of the Kamath Memorial Cricket Club and one of Achrekar’s students, spearheaded the initiative to build the memorial. He revealed that the inauguration ceremony is scheduled for December 3, Achrekar’s birth anniversary, with Sachin Tendulkar slated to be the chief guest. The statue will feature a cricket bat adorned with the signatures of the 12 Indian cricketers who were coached by Achrekar, adding a personal touch to the memorial.
The memorial project was made possible with the guidance and support of Raj Thackeray, and the event promises to be a poignant tribute to the legendary coach. The presence of Sachin Tendulkar at the inauguration ceremony will undoubtedly add to the significance of the occasion, honoring the legacy of a coach who played an instrumental role in shaping the careers of numerous cricketing talents.
As preparations are underway for the unveiling of the Ramakant Achrekar memorial, the cricketing community eagerly anticipates paying homage to a coach whose impact transcends generations. The statue will serve as a lasting tribute to a man whose passion for cricket and dedication to nurturing talent left an indelible mark on the sport.
