July 11, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 29, 1423

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KARACHI, July 10: The activity in the regional academy here is in full swing and the budding youngsters are fully capitalizing on the opportunity of high-class facilities available.

And the added attraction to the youngsters is the presence of legendary Hanif Mohammad who made his third visit of the week Wednesday.

Dressed in Pakistan colour lower, white shirt, floppy hat and joggers, Hanif looked happy to be amongsts the youngsters.

“Who says I am old. I feel I am still young,” Hanif, 67, said with a broad smile, adding: “It is a great feeling to be close to the youngsters and pass on my knowledge to them. They seem to be keen learners.

“The activity is healthy, surroundings nice and facilities excellent. Who wouldn’t enjoy in these conditions.”

Hanif has been mostly concentrating on the batsmen, teaching them the basics of batting.

“There are minor technical problems with the batsmen like gripping the bat, stance and body moment. But by and large, there are no major defects.

“In fact, there are few batsmen who didn’t require adjustments at all and they have not been disturbed too. But I am glad that I have seem remarkable improvement in the boys whom I have guided.

“Frankly speaking, I am having a very nice time here,” Hanif said.

Hanif is still considered as an icon and role model by the youngsters, evident from the fact that even the bowlers were seen sharing their thoughts with the maestro.

“It is a lifetime opportunity to work with him. It was a dream to see him. Talking to him and taking tips from him is something I will proudly tell my family,” an enthusiastic youngster from interior Sindh said.

Hanif, like a thorough gentleman he is, refused to take the credit for the improvement the boys were making.

“I am here to give finishing touches and further polish the skills. All the basic hardwork has been done by Haroon Rasheed and Rashid Khan,” he said.

Haroon, the chief coach, and Rashid have been looking after the cricketers, indulging them in healthy activities, not only in the ground.

A hectic schedule has been drawn for them that includes physical training in the morning, lectures, computer courses, seminars and discussions. For the last couple of days, the boys were briefed about sports injuries and ways to increase fitness level by Dr Meesaq Rizvi who returned Wednesday evening.

“We are only talking about cricket and nothing else. Not only the knowledge of the boys have increased, the I.Q. level has also improved,” Haroon said.

On Saturdays and Sundays, the trainees play matches among themselves and the performances — individual and team — are later evaluated in the board room. Mistakes are pointed out and how to rectify them are told.