Sachin Tendulkar lauds building of statue of Ramakant Achrekar in Shivaji Park
India’s legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar thanked the Maharashtra government for their decision to build Late Ramakant Achrekar’s statue in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park.
Achrekar was Tendulkar’s childhood coach and has played a huge role from the initial to the end of his celebrated cricketing career. He coached Tendulkar during his childhood, alongside many other Mumbai players who went on to represent the country at international level. It was from the Shivaji Park, where Tendulkar’s journey to greatness began. The Maharashtra government decided to build Achrekar’s memorial to honour him for his contribution to the Indian cricket.
“Achrekar Sir has had an immense impact on my life and several other lives. I am speaking on behalf of all his students. His life revolved around cricket in Shivaji Park. Being at Shivaji Park forever is what he would have wished for,” Tendulkar wrote on X. “I am very happy with the government’s decision to build a statue for Achrekar Sir at his karmabhoomi,” he added.
Achrekar’s impact in Sachin Tendulkar’s life
A memorial for Sachin’s childhood coach
The Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government issued a Government Resolution on Wednesday to allow the installation of the statue in the memory of Achrekar at the Shivaji Park. The statue will be six-feet in height and will be installed at the Shivaji Park in an open space near the gate no. 5. The proposal was cleared by the Department of Urban Development under the government of Maharashtra. The statue will be maintained by V Kamath Memorial Cricket Club as per the resolution, with no financial assistance from the state.
Achrekar was the recipient of the prestigious Dronacharya Award and passed away on January 2, 2019 at the age of 87. He coached 14 players who went on to represent India. These players include Tendulkar, Ramnath Parkar, Eknath Solkar, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Lalchand Rajput, Chandrakant Pandit, Pravin Amre, Vinod Kambli, Sameer Dighe, Sanjay Bangar, Paras Mhambrey, Ramesh Powar, Ajit Agarkar, and Sairaj Bahutule.