It gives me immense pleasure to inform that Dr. Gokaraju Gangaraju has done exemplary service to Andhra Cricket Association. I know Dr. Gangaraju and his father and both of them are people of noble heart. They are always keen to serve the society. Recently I inaugurated the picturesque twin grounds at Mulapadu in Krishna District. I also inaugurated the first- ever historical Test match at Visakhapatnam. After taking a look at the grounds and other infrastructure in different districts of A.P, I am thrilled by the dedicated efforts put in by Dr. Gangaraju and his team. I requested Dr. Gangaraju to give a proposal for developing adventure sports on the hillocks of Mulapadu and other sports infrastructure across the State. Top officials of BCCI, recognising his services made him the Vice President of BCCI. I would like to appreciate Dr. Gangaraju, his team of office bearers and members of ACA, who stood by him in all his endeavours in moulding ACA as a role model association in the country. 1 1 I take it as honour to inform that Andhra Cricket Association, under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Gokaraju Gangaraju, has made tremendous progress in terms of development of game and infrastructure across the state of AP. I have been watching Dr. Gangaraju in BCCI meetings. He comes to the meetings with one agenda - to seek facilities to ACA, demand postings for ACA members in sub committees of BCCI and more number of international matches for the association. He always sought the coveted Test status to Dr. Y.S.R. ACA-VDCA stadium at Visakhapatnam. I am happy to say that this man has passion for Andhra cricket, cricketers and administrators. He is one of the most successful cricket administrators of the country and I wish him all the best in all his endeavours. 2 2 During my tenure as cricket administrator, I saw a lot of people doing more talking and less doing. During my visit to Andhra Cricket Association, I was fortunate to see spectacular grounds and infrastructure at Mulapadu and Mangalagiri. It was a pleasent surprise to see the development that has taken place in the 13 districts of ACA. Till date I was of the opinion that Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association is the only association which had developed grounds and established academies. But after seeing the ACA grounds, four residential academies for boys and girls and learning about grants offered as stipends to deserving boys and girls, the transparency in administration and the financial discipline, I have no second thought in calling ACA as Aadarsh Cricket Association. I bow to the spirit and teamwork exhibited by Gangaraju and his team. I wish and pray to see many boys and girls from Andhra representing Indian teams and bring laurels to the country. 3 3 I am happy today because I am the President of ACA which is celebrating it’s diamond jubilee in a befitting manner. Nothing can give me more happiness than supporting and recognizing the present and former cricketers who brought laurels to our State. I sincerely appreciate Dr. Gangaraju and his team for enhancing the pride and dignity of the association with their committed work. I feel it as an honour for having worked along with him. He is a man of committment and I know inspite of many troubles he had faced - be it ACB, Income Tax raids on his business, political and social pressures, he stood by his principles and guided the association to prosperity. Though we are two wheels of the same cycle, he drove the vehicle in a balanced manner and I only supported him in the interesting journey. More than anyone else, ACA requires Gangaraju and his services. I wish and pray that under his leadership Andhra scales greater heights in times to come. 4 4 As the Honorary President of Andhra Cricket Association, I felt happy when I learnt that the members, office bearers and staff of ACA have come up with the idea of releasing a book that contained contributions of Dr. G. Gangaraju to ACA. It is a tribute to a man who was instrumental in converting Andhra Cricket Association into the most- progressive organisation in the country. Some of the landmark decisions taken during his tenure paved the way for many associations in the country to emulate ACA. Some of them are stipend schemes for deserving boys and girls, establishment of academies, bringing in professionals, transparency in financial management and maintaining relationships within the State unit and BCCI. It is difficult to step into the shoes of Dr. Gangaraju as his commitment and tenacity cannot be matched. But we will try and and follow the path laid by Gangaraju in keeping ACA flag flying high . 5 5 I have the pleasure of visiting Andhra Cricket Association’s infrastructure at Mangalagiri, Mulapadu and Vishakapatnam. Indeed it takes lot of dedication and passion to build such world- class infrastructure. I whole heartedly congratulate Dr. Gangaraju who was the chief architect responsible for turning the fortunes of the association. My interaction with him was good enough to gauge how passionate he is to see the development of ACA in all fronts. The funds that BCCI disburses have been put to proper use for the right cause under his dynamic leadership. I am sure his successors will also follow the path laid by him. Right from my childhood I had the impression that Andhra Team was just a pushover. If we could pick up Amit Pathak and MSK Prasad’s wickets, Andhra team will fall like a pack of cards. These were the notions of the past. 6 6 Today Andhra teams have solid players who are making a big impact in domestic circuit. It may be appropriate to say that in times to come Andhra will be a potential force in Indian cricket. Apart from infrastructure, I was also impressed with the academy concept developed by MSK Prasad and being nurtured by Dr. Suratwala with committed coaches and support staff. Rahul Dravid having a stroll in the picturesque ground at Mulapadu, Krishna District Education is an integral part of sport and I am really happy that ACA Academies have also taken up the big task of providing education simultaneously with cricket. I have travelled across the length and breadth of the cricketing world, and I feel the academies developed by Dr. Gangaraju and his team are of international standards. ACA Secretary Ch. Arun Kumar explaining about the academy systems to the legendary cricketer I wish that Andhra cricketers should make use of this infrastructure and enhance their skils and achieve their goals and at the same time go on to become successful citizens of the country . Rahul Dravid walks past a room which is named after him in the academy I was told that ACA is paying a tribute to Dr. Gangaraju through this book and I am extremely happy to offer my piece of appreciation to a well-deserved personality. After a wonderful message received from Rahul Dravid the academy kids pose for a photograph with him. 7 7 I take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Gangaraju for his commitment and efforts to transform Andhra cricket in the last five years. He not only made changes in administration but also made massive impact on the development of the game in Andhra Pradesh. For any state association to excel in the sport you require to provide quality infrastructure and also have passionate people who understand the intricacies of the sport. I am not surprised that this responsibility was given to my childhood friend and former India wicket-keeper MSK Prasad who, during his playing days, took a lot of pride in wearing the Andhra colours and always had the best intentions for the cricketers from Andhra. I would like to appreciate the efforts of Dr. Gangaraju and his team who stood rock solid in building ACA into a powerhouse for cricket and also exhibited progressive mindset . I had the privilege of inaugurating the residential academy in Mangalagiri and it gives me immense pleasure to know that the academy has 8 8 become the feeding ground for various Andhra cricket teams which are excelling in domestic cricket . It is great to see some of the academy players representing Team India at Junior level with a lot of success. I was also part of the ACA’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations along with Javagal Srinath. Words cannot describe the way VVS Laxman inaugurates ACA Academy at Mangalagiri it was conducted and the way ACA honoured its past cricketers since it’s inception along with current cricketers. It was a very noble gesture by ACA to recognise and honour the contributions of its past cricketers by paying Offering prayers for the success of the academy them a cheque amounting to Rs 2.5 crores. Apart from supporting cricketers, ACA also supports players from other sports and many deserving sportspersons were beneficiaries of this magnanimity of ACA. Words of wisdom to the academy kids Finally I would like to appreciate Dr. Ganga Raju for his untiring service to ACA and I am sure that a lot of people will get inspired by this visionary and will learn from what he has done to Andhra cricket and cricketers in such a short span of time. ACA richly pays tribute to their leader and source of inspiration through this book. Inspiring the young minds 9 9 Dr. Gangaraju did his schooling in Hyderabad Public School and shared the class room with many sportspersons. His passion for sports in general and cricket in particular was nurtured in school.