Rahul Dravid to mentor selected athletes in special progamme

CHENNAI: Former cricket captain Rahul Dravid today announced the launch of second edition of the Aditya Birla Financial Services Group Presents Rahul Dravid Athlete Mentorship Programme, aimed at offering mentorship and quality career guidance to some of India's most talented athletes.

The Athlete Mentorship Programme, aimed to engage athletes from Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympic disciplines, is being executed by Dravid in association with the GoSports Foundation.

The Athlete Mentorship Programme, first launched in 2014, saw Dravid mentoring World No. 12 badminton player HS Prannoy, PGTI and Asian Tour Golfer Chikkarangappa S., and India's best para-swimmer Sharath Gayakwad.

This year, Dravid and his team of experts will look to expand the scope and impact of the goal-driven mentorship programme by giving the athletes pro-bono access to specialised career guidance, scientific expertise, performance and injury management, and allied services - all designed to help them achieve their sporting goals.

Thirty athletes, from a pool of almost 200 applicants from across India, were shortlisted after a comprehensive evaluation process. These athletes attended the selection process on July 25, at the Sri Ramachandra Arthroscopy and Sports Sciences Centre.

After undergoing an initial fitness screening at the world class sports science facility, the athletes were interviewed by a diverse panel of experts comprising of Bollywood actor, activist and former Indian rugby player Rahul Bose, Padma Shri and Rhodes Scholar Prof. Virander Chauhan, Administrator of the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation - Ms. Amita Malkani, and sports lawyer, Rhodes Scholar, and GoSports Foundation Managing Trustee Nandan Kamath.

On Sunday, July 26, Dravid interacted with all the shortlisted athletes at the Taj Club House, sharing his experiences as an elite athlete, and encouraging the youngsters to strive towards excellence in all walks of life.

18 athletes have been selected to the Programme, and shall be offered support over the next year. The chosen athletes represent a variety of Olympic and Paralympic disciplines, and are at various stages in their sporting careers.