12 years ago
Thank you for the support and do not miss the re-birth of university cricket in an all-new, world-class form!
Final words then.
This is the start of much bigger and better things to come. Development of all sports and that of both men and women continues to be the focus of all associated with the Toyota University Cricket Championship.
This is the start of much bigger and better things to come. Development of all sports and that of both men and women continues to be the focus of all associated with the Toyota University Cricket Championship.
SRK on women in Indian sports:
I wish there was a drastic change in women sports in the country. It is sad that there are situations like this. But I really think it is very important for women to come forward and play more.
We talk of women's right. I think we should further this.
Dr. Roy adds:
It is just the start. We will make this bigger.
I wish there was a drastic change in women sports in the country. It is sad that there are situations like this. But I really think it is very important for women to come forward and play more.
We talk of women's right. I think we should further this.
Dr. Roy adds:
It is just the start. We will make this bigger.
Clarity on why it is important to make this tournament commercially viable.
SRK explains: I hope profit is made because if it is then it can be extended to other sports. Sports can only benefit.
SRK explains: I hope profit is made because if it is then it can be extended to other sports. Sports can only benefit.
SRK on not just cricket but sports in totality:
"Sports can be a salaried job. I would like to be a brand ambassador for any sport. I am very good at sport. Field hockey is the best game, football is a beautiful sport, badminton is a fantastic sport because Deepika Padukone plays it. No, jokes apart, I would genuinely like to help all sports."
"Sports can be a salaried job. I would like to be a brand ambassador for any sport. I am very good at sport. Field hockey is the best game, football is a beautiful sport, badminton is a fantastic sport because Deepika Padukone plays it. No, jokes apart, I would genuinely like to help all sports."
Every person on stage agrees that this tournament is not all about winning but about participating. There is a lot to learn from here which will prepare the youngsters for life's challenges.
What this launch has also done clearly is that it has made all present remember their playing or cheering days.
Sports in schools and colleges were huge earlier and continue to be in several countries. In India, this is why NDTV has supported this very important issue.
Shah Rukh though says it is important of course, to have a back-up plan and focus on the basics.
Sports in schools and colleges were huge earlier and continue to be in several countries. In India, this is why NDTV has supported this very important issue.
Shah Rukh though says it is important of course, to have a back-up plan and focus on the basics.
Shah Rukh raises a very vital point.
"We have not yet reached that stage where children say that I want to be a professional sportsperson when I grow up."
Toyota University Cricket Championship seeks to find India's next cricket champions from 120 participating players!
"We have not yet reached that stage where children say that I want to be a professional sportsperson when I grow up."
Toyota University Cricket Championship seeks to find India's next cricket champions from 120 participating players!
Support from BCCI for Toyota University Cricket Championship has been invaluable as well.
Message from N Srinivasan, BCCI, chief on Toyota University Cricket Championship:
BCCI has always encouraged university cricket. I am very glad NDTV is going to sponsor and support it. For people to see university cricket which they don't now, is very important.
BCCI has always encouraged university cricket. I am very glad NDTV is going to sponsor and support it. For people to see university cricket which they don't now, is very important.
Pallam Raju, Minister for Human Resource Development, says he is glad to see that Shah Rukh Khan is part of this initiative. "He is very passionate about it and you can see it."
SRK says being an actor for over 20 year, he had forgotten about winning and losing. Says it's very important to feel an adrenaline rush.
SRK says being an actor for over 20 year, he had forgotten about winning and losing. Says it's very important to feel an adrenaline rush.
The AIM is to create a first of its kind, quality live programming targeting strictly college kids and to bring about a REVOLUTION in searching for India's next cricketing champions.
UCC will be an extension of the 77 year old Rohinton Baria Tournament.
All matches will be telecast live on a sports channel and NDTV will also do extensive programming around it.
All matches will be telecast live on a sports channel and NDTV will also do extensive programming around it.
Pallam Raju, Minister for Human Resource Development, says he is glad to be associated with this tournament.
"I think we can reach international level. I am glad this is happening. As I understand, 8 universities will play and that we should help these players not just reach the national team but also make it international."
"I think we can reach international level. I am glad this is happening. As I understand, 8 universities will play and that we should help these players not just reach the national team but also make it international."
What is NDTV Toyota University Cricket Championship all about?
1960s and 1970s was a time when university cricket drew big crowds. Over the last two decades though, university cricket has been dying a slow death.
The year 2013 is all set to experience a revolution. Top-8 Universities of India will battle it out in a T20 format. They have qualified from 4 zones.
1960s and 1970s was a time when university cricket drew big crowds. Over the last two decades though, university cricket has been dying a slow death.
The year 2013 is all set to experience a revolution. Top-8 Universities of India will battle it out in a T20 format. They have qualified from 4 zones.
NDTV Toyota University Cricket Championship is going to be an exciting tournament because it is not going to be any less than any other match of international standard.
Expect great camera-work, excellent graphics and all the other factors to make this, truly world-class.
Expect great camera-work, excellent graphics and all the other factors to make this, truly world-class.
Shah Rukh as a commentator? SRK says he and Dr. Prannoy Roy should try that!
To understand the value and appreciate the fact that players are cheered is important. Shah Rukh says it is very important for students to experience it. "They may not go on to play for the national team or IPL but the fun of live matches should be experienced by all," he says.
"I hope this (University Cricket Championship) spreads to other sports as well," says Shashi Tharoor.
Shashi Tharoor: I have no questions that it is a great initiative. When I was in college, we used to get huge crowds for matches. Now, the interest has gone down, families are not encouraging it enough, there is a lot of pressure on students. This will get back the same enthusiasm.
Minister of State Shashi Tharoor also present at the event and applauds the initiative.
Shah Rukh says he is a firm believer in sports and is best to reach to the grass-root levels.
SRK with Dr. Prannoy Roy.
Top-8 universities will compete in the tournament as the search for India's next champions gets all set to take off.
NDTV partners with HRD Ministry to launch University Cricket Championship.
"Whatever I am today, it is because of what I learnt at that level - school and universities. Nothing better than this. One of the finest initiatives from NDTV, apart from Marks for Sports," says Shah Rukh.
Shah Rukh: I would like to thank all for starting this initiative. I thank BCCI, HRD ministry. All the best to all.
Bollywood superstar endorses NDTV Toyota University Cricket Championship.
Joins NDTV Executive co-chairperson Dr. Prannoy Roy and CEO Vikram Chandra.
Joins NDTV Executive co-chairperson Dr. Prannoy Roy and CEO Vikram Chandra.
The world over, University championships are a big deal because it identifies superstars of tomorrow. In India, cricket is a religion and that is what makes UCC huge!
