Venkat Raman
The visit of Sachin Tendulkar to Auckland next weekend remains uncertain.
According to an earlier announcement, the greatest batsman of all times was due in the City on February 27 to attend cocktail and dinner sessions at the Langham Hotel. Tickets priced at $500 per person for each event have been on sale for the past two weeks.
Tendulkar was also to conduct a training session at a School in Central Auckland.
Change of Guard
Phil Gaze, Director, ‘Next Generation Sport,’ told Indian Newslink on Saturday that he was pulling out as the organiser of the event and that a new company was being established ‘to take over all aspects of Sachin’s visit.’
“I am not sure as to who is forming the new company or who will take over the event but details may be available on Monday (February 16). We will contact all those who have paid for the tickets. I can assure them that their money is safe,” he said.
But a source told us “Sachin’s visit may not happen, at least not this month, since there are many issues to be sorted out.”
According to another source, no arrangements had been made until press time for the travel of Tendulkar and his party, “although seats in First, Business and Economy classes may not be a problem since the busy season is over.”
Supporter withdraws
Shailesh Bagwe, Director of Seagold Solutions Limited, who was earlier contacting businesses and individuals for sponsorships and purchase of tickets, told us that he was also distancing himself from the Project.
“I have only been assisting Mr Gaze purely as an outside helper, I have ended my association with this Project since he has decided to withdraw as the organiser,” he said.
Impressive Programme
Mr Gaze had announced through his dedicated website (www.sachinnz.co.nz) that Sachin
Tendulkar will be in New Zealand just for a day during the Cricket World Cup.
“He will be in Auckland on Friday, February 27, 2015, the day prior to the New Zealand vs Australia game for one function only. Sachin will have an exclusive Q&A Session about his recent autobiography ‘Playing It My Way.’ Each guest will receive a copy of his best seller,” the website had said.
“We take a look at life from his perspective inside the IPL, his view on the Cricket World Cup as we hit the midway point, the expectations on him from such a young age, life in the Indian team with a New Zealand coach and many more stories you have not heard before. Sachin will be interviewed by former Black Cap and Sky Sport Cricket commentator Simon Doull,” the website added.
Greatest Player
Tendulkar has a huge fan following in New Zealand as he does in rest of the world. Millions of people have watched him playing superb Cricket since his Test debut on November 15, 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi when he was 16 years old.
He retired from the World of Cricket on November 16, 2013. His 24-year career brought him several global records.
Several Records
He is the only player to have scored one hundred centuries in international matches, the first batsman to score a double century in One Day International, the only player to complete more than 30,000 runs in International Cricket and the 16th player and the first Indian to aggregate 50,000 runs or more in all forms of domestic and international (recognised) Cricket.
