Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has warmly welcomed the Maharashtra government’s decision to honor his late childhood coach, Ramakant Achrekar, with a statue at the iconic Shivaji Park in Mumbai. The state’s urban development department approved the proposal on Wednesday, paving the way for a six-foot tall statue of Achrekar to be erected near Gate No. 5 of the park. It was at Shivaji Park where Tendulkar, under the guidance of Achrekar, honed his cricketing skills, eventually rising to become one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game. Achrekar, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 87, left an indelible mark on the lives of numerous cricketers.
Tendulkar, expressing his gratitude on Instagram, stated, “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. I am very happy with the government’s decision to build a statue for Achrekar Sir at his karmabhoomi.”
The government resolution details that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will be responsible for the construction of the statue. It also mandates that all necessary permissions and approvals be obtained from the corporation before the statue is erected. Once built, the BV Ramath Memorial Secret Club will assume the responsibility of its maintenance and repair, ensuring the statue stands as a lasting tribute to the revered coach. The resolution explicitly states that no independent funds will be provided by the government for either the construction or the ongoing maintenance of the memorial.
Achrekar, a recipient of the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 1990, has coached a remarkable array of Indian cricketers, including Tendulkar. His coaching legacy extends to other prominent players such as Ramnath Parkar, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Lalchand Rajput, Chandrakant Pandit, Pravin Amre, Sameer Dighe, Vinod Kambli, Sanjay Bangar, Paras Mhambrey, Ramesh Powar, and Ajit Agarkar. The statue at Shivaji Park is a fitting tribute to his invaluable contributions to the sport, ensuring his memory and impact remain ingrained in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts for generations to come.
