Gokaraju praises Kalpana for her hard work

The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) felicitated R Kalpana, member of Indian women cricket team, on Sunday.

Praising the achievement of Kalpana, of Women Cricket Academy of ACA, Secretary Gokaraju Gangaraju expressed hope that the academy would achieve more credits in future as parents are coming forward to send their children to learn cricket.

Speaking after the event, Kalpana said that she reached the highest position with the help of Andhra Cricket association. “I thank the coaches and ACA members for encouraging me,” she said.

Kalpana received cash contributions of Rs 50,000 from the ACA secretary, Rs 10,000 from G Muralimohan, chairmain of women cricket association and Rs 40,000 from Ongole cricket association.

ACA director (operations) and former Indian cricketer, MSK Prasad, said that Kalpana has natural skills and proved best as a wicket keeper. He said the women cricket academy has been playing a key role in training the players for Indian women cricket team.

Expressing happiness over his daughter’s achievement Kalpana’s father, Ravi Venkateswarlu, said that the ACA spotted Kalpana, while she was in grade seven at Bishop Azariah School and started training her at the academy.

Venkateswarlu and his wife, Balakoteswari, said that though they hail from poor background the ACA encouraged their daughter to reach high levels in cricket. ACA president DV Somayajulu and others were present.