It is important to remember that change is the only constant in life.
It is like the walk of a cricketer from the maidan where he first appears to the confidence he gets when practicing at a ground to finally, the big stride forward he takes whilst swinging the bat on the 22 yards of an international cricketing venue, whether home or away.
There’s a change or transformation in each of these phases, isn’t it?
But what remains and stands there with poise akin to the comforting stillness of the pond is that ground a cricketer leaves behind.
Better still, graduates from before he takes his next big step.
That ground remains the massive support system that enabled the talent to look within to test himself and to go beyond expectations.
Like fond memories that shape our childhood that are about as important as they are beautiful, the ground stays there, buried in the hearts and minds of several cricketers.
It remains unmoved.
The fresh smell of the grass on the turf. The very evident twinkle of early morning dew. The grip of the pitch. The chirping of the birds from the nearby trees nestled in the vicinity. The loud appeals and the comforting packs of the back by the coach, is the guru as we call the revered figure in India.
All of that remains in the conscience of the cricketer who once walked on its surface before the big international turnaround came about is his ground; the place where he toiled and subjected himself to great rigour.
And one such ground- hard to ignore, impossible to shove under the carpet and only just to uphold with genuine regard- happens to be more than a ground actually.
It is a proper academy that, truth be told, is the field of dreams of many that aim and aspire to represent India in the times to come.
Well, if you haven’t heard about the Manik Sports Academy yet, then perhaps now is the time.
Quaint, like a demure youngster who is contended and yet, defined by burning ambition, Maniknagar in the state of Karnataka is a hamlet and a temple complex, essentially speaking.
But in its beating heart stands- never with false pride but always with a sense of purpose- the Manik Sports Academy.
It’s the breeding ground for India’s next generation athletes who can avail or have access to a plethora of sports training facilities and a system of guidance that can uphold India’s honest ambition of becoming the land of sporting excellence.
Cricket, football, table tennis are just some of the proper sports that have boundlessly passionate gurus here at the Manik Sports Academy.
And by gurus, the academy insists to encourage and cultivate a system whereby coaches can have a life changing impact on young minds that goes far beyond just a transactional exchange. Which is where the key lies and it’s here where Manik Sports Academy is one of a kind.
Standing with grace at the Bidar district of Karnataka, the Manik Sports Academy is an academy like no other.
Forget transactional or for that matter a dainty sum of money, the academy run under the aegis of Shri Manik Prabhu Shikshan Samiti, has devoted its very being towards enabling sports talent from rural and economically depraved backgrounds in the region.
Rather interesting to note that the Shri Manik Prabhu Shikshan Samiti is actually a registered non-profit organisation that was established in 1967. The catch here is that the same was established in that part of north Karnataka that one could either call largely neglected or under developed.
Named after a spiritual figure of redoubtable reverence, Shri Manik Prabhu Maharaj, the academy endeavours to bring about a change in the life of countless (and budding) youngsters who seek in sports a way of life.
These are earnest souls for whom sport is more than a game to be played or just a career to base life on; it is, but a way of life.
Now since the Manik Sports Academy doesn’t take a penny whilst taking care of countless sport-hungry and sports-driven individuals whose best days lie in their future, it is about time we all stepped up for the academy itself in the present.
Why?
There could be nothing as selfless as presenting countless youth hailing from rural Karnataka with an opportunity to base a life in sports?
If that isn’t an invaluable present in itself, then what is?
At a time where life is constantly being measured by the sands of commerce that can so often run the risk of being corrupted, it’s rare to find selfless souls such as those who are the driving forces behind the Manik Sports Academy.
For the purpose of presenting its committed pupil the infrastructure and supporting sports paraphernalia with which they could compete at a world class level with athletes and talents from around the world, is running a fund raising campaign.
The end objective is to address the financial plight of those lives that deserve success and true manifestation of their sporting talent.
But before we delve any further, let us also take a moment to absorb just how tirelessly hard the Manik Sports Academy has worked over the years.
With the intention of providing much needed guidance coupled with sporting direction to the rural youth in multiple sporting realms such as swimming, tennis, badminton, table tennis and cricket, among others, the Manik Sport Academy has been working round the year for quite some time.
Its notable sporting infrastructure includes- synthetic Basketball court, synthetic tennis courts, a modern table tennis centre, Badminton courts,
For this, sports equipment such as a proper table tennis table but one of redoubtable quality and of globally viable standard is needed.
Rather remarkably, the cricket ground today, which is of reputable standard, is associated with the Karnataka State Cricket Association.
That said, there are facilities for shaping athletes of tomorrow in the disciplines of swimming and archery and even horse riding.
But what is needed now, more than ever is, a system of support where we, who form the Audience base that loves sports does the bit for the academy that has done everything selflessly and for countless many.
Whether it’s training, guidance, mentoring or whatnot- Manik Sports Academy hasn’t shied away once from being the torchbearer of hope and light for so many.
The big question now is just how many step up for an academy that has helped countless many take their first and then, successive steps towards basing a life in sports and that too, selflessly.
Even state level chess, swimming competitions and cricket tournaments are held by Manik Sports Academy for the differently enabled.
That said, in order to ensure that the youth of tomorrow gets the necessary guidance today, the Manik Sports Academy has on its board sporting luminaries of distinction such as Aparna Popat, Vijay Lokapally, among several other respected names.
To contribute further- you can get in touch with Mr Charudatt Prabhu on
+91 96205 84323
