Former State cricketers Howaid Hamid and Sameer Ali who have forayed into cricket coaching profession added another achievement to their career by finishing on top in the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NS NIS) Patiala annual cricket coaching diploma course program.
After qualifying for admission in NIS through nationwide selection process, Howaid and Sameer training in NIS, Patiala for the last nine months have emerged as toppers in the annual results declared recently, thereby proving their mettle in coaching.
“It is big thing for me to have earned the NIS diploma in cricket coaching from top sports institute of the country. Apart from being associated with J&K Cricket Association in the selection process, I have also been involved in coaching for more than three years now. After finishing my career as player, I wanted to contribute back to the game that has given me name and fame. So there was no better option than to go into coaching arena,” Howaid said.
Both Howaid and Sameer Ali, having represented the State in Ranji Trophy in the past, with former as a batsman and latter as a pacer, were associated with J&K State Sports Council’s State Cricket Academy before going for 9-months coaching Diploma.
“I am still an active player but I always loved to work with youngsters. Even before foraying into coaching role, I used to sit with youngsters with an aim to impart them whatever knowledge I have. In NIS, we have learned a lot of new things and we are sure we will be able to contribute if given the chance to work with next generation of cricketers,” Sameer Ali said.
