We must give our children freedom as freedom and encouragement is a great combination that leads to results, former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar advised parents at the SRT10 Altevol Centre of Excellence Sports Academy in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
During an interaction with parents, grandparents and aspiring cricketers organised at the facility, Tendulkar started off by asking parents not to put pressure on their children. “Please understand that nothing happens overnight. We want our children to be successful, and for that we have to work hard. Above all, we must give our children freedom. Freedom and encouragement is a great combination because that is what leads to results. When I started playing, I was probably the same age – around 11-12 years. My parents never put pressure on me. Neither my brothers nor my sister ever questioned me about why I was not scoring runs. When I played club or practice matches, I got out for a zero in the first two games and came home. In the third match, I scored one run. But deep inside, I was happy that I had at least managed to score one run,” he said.
As a piece of advice to the youngsters, Tendulkar said, “Let the journey not begin from your brain. Because passion lives in your heart. So let the journey of cricket, or any other sport, start from the heart. Don’t expect results overnight.” He also urged parents to be patient. “Failure is a foundation – As long as you are patiently teaching them and explaining to them… Every batter gets bowled and every bowler gives runs. That is normal. So don’t treat failure like ‘what have you done’? Nobody wants to fail in life. So the children are not going there to fail. They all want to perform. You can show them balance because the way you react to their performances, even if they perform well, don’t get carried away. There should be a balance. It will just prepare them to deal with tough times and also teach them to celebrate their victories and not take anything for granted.
While he encouraged young athletes to embrace discipline, patience and the joy of learning through sports, he added, “What I’m trying to tell all the children here is… every time you will play, you not be successful but every time we can go prepared. Success is never guaranteed. But your preparation, and your discipline, focus – all these are in your hands. Talent, I believe, is God-given. But what you do with that talent is in your hands. I have seen many talented cricketers, but the results were not as good. There should be focus. If you want to play for India, you will have to do certain things. There are no shortcuts. And if you take shortcuts you will get exposed in front of the entire world because cricket, is always played on the field in front of everyone. So don’t take shortcuts.”
The SRT10 Altevol Sports Academy was launched earlier this year as part of the expanding SRT10 ecosystem aimed at strengthening grassroots sports development through professional coaching, fitness infrastructure and holistic athlete training programmes. This is the second such academy in India backed by Sachin Tendulkar after the flagship SRT10 Global Academy at DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Chirag Patel, CEO, SRT10 Altevol Centre of Excellence, said, “Sharing the field with Sachin Tendulkar gave the young dreamers a real sense of belief and purpose. His presence brought alive the values this academy stands for: humility, hard work, discipline and commitment to constant improvement.”
Patel added that Tendulkar’s visit also underlined the growing importance of structured sporting ecosystems in emerging urban centres such as Ahmedabad, where increasing access to world-class training and mentorship is helping shape a stronger culture of grassroots sport.
The SRT10 Altevol Centre of Excellence Sports Academy in Ahmedabad witnessed an inspiring and emotionally charged day as cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar spent time with young athletes training at the academy, interacting closely with children, parents, and aspiring cricketers during a special engagement organised at the facility.
Joining the children on the field for cricket activities and informal sessions, Tendulkar encouraged young athletes to embrace discipline, patience, and the joy of learning through sport, according to a release.
His interaction created memorable moments for trainees and families gathered at the academy, many of whom described the experience as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Speaking after the event, Sachin Tendulkar said, “The most important thing for any young child is not where they begin, but whether they are given the opportunity to grow. Over the last few years, I’ve increasingly felt that India’s sporting future will be shaped by how seriously we invest in grassroots ecosystems and encourage children to enjoy sport without fear or pressure. When children step onto a field, they are not just playing a sport, they are learning discipline, teamwork, resilience, and self-belief. Seeing the energy and curiosity among these young athletes in Ahmedabad was genuinely heartening, and I hope platforms like these continue to inspire many more children to dream through sport.”
The SRT10 Altevol Sports Academy was launched earlier this year as part of the expanding SRT10 ecosystem aimed at strengthening grassroots sports development through professional coaching, fitness infrastructure, and holistic athlete training programmes. This is the second such academy in India, backed by Sachin Tendulkar after the flagship SRT10 Global Academy at DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Chirag Patel, CEO, SRT10 Altevol Centre of Excellence, said, “Today was a special day for all of us. Sharing the field with Sachin Tendulkar gave the young dreamers a real sense of belief and purpose. His presence brought alive the values this academy stands for: humility, hard work, discipline, and commitment to constant improvement. The energy and excitement we witnessed today will stay with these young athletes for a very long time.”
The visit also underlined the growing importance of structured sporting ecosystems in emerging urban centres like Ahmedabad, where increasing access to world-class training and mentorship is helping shape a stronger culture of grassroots sport. The academy’s emphasis extends beyond technical skills, focusing equally on confidence-building, discipline, mental resilience, and long-term athlete development.
Parents and children from across Ahmedabad and neighbouring regions attended the interaction, with the event further reinforcing the academy’s long-term commitment towards creating meaningful sporting opportunities for young talent across the region.