New Delhi, April 28 Former India captain and ace cricketer Virat Kohli delivered an inspiring address to students during the inauguration of a cricket academy at the Delhi Public School in RK Puram on Tuesday, stressing the importance of clarity, honesty, and dedication in pursuing one’s ambitions and urging young minds to stay true to their dreams and back them with unwavering commitment.
Kohli, along with his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma and DDCA president Rohan Jaitley inaugurated a West Delhi Cricket Academy Branch on Tuesday.
While addressing students during the event, the batting stalwart shared his personal journey and experiences. Kohli admitted that returning to a school setting to speak felt unfamiliar, but said he could relate closely to the students, having once stood in their place.
"Thank you for having me. I'm not used to speaking in schools, so this is going to be a bit awkward for me because I moved away from the school setup long ago for cricket, and that's what I'm going to talk about. I understand the environment of a school. I've been through the same process and stage that all you kids are a part of right now. And I can just share from my own experience how my focus and priority changed very early on in my life. What I want to say is, a school is a place where you come to learn, you come to grow, you become better people,” Kohli said in his address.
He went on to underline the significance of respecting the learning ecosystem, particularly teachers, who play a vital role in shaping both character and capability.
"Have respect and regard for that environment first. For your teachers, for the people who are teaching you. They are giving you a part of their lives. It's very important to give them that respect and the focus and attention that's required," Kohli added.
Drawing from his own early decisions, Kohli spoke about how choosing cricket as a career required conviction and honesty, not just with himself but also with those around him.
"I chose sport very early on in my life, but that came from a very honest place. I was very sure that I wanted to go ahead and pursue cricket, and I had to be honest with myself, my family, and also my teachers to convey to them that this is the path I want to take," the former RCB skipper said.
He reiterated that self-awareness and sincerity are key when it comes to chasing ambitions, encouraging students to take ownership of their goals, saying, "Be honest with your dreams, about what you want to do and follow that dream with absolute commitment. Only you will know whether you are being 100% honest or not."
Recalling his long-standing association with the academy, Kohli described it as a cornerstone of his childhood and development, expressing hope that it would inspire and nurture future talent.
"I started practising when I was eight years old, and I still continue to come to the academy whenever I get time. And it's a big part of my childhood, and I hope all the kids that come to learn cricket here can value it, can learn something from the academy. And I hope it does wonders for the school, the cricket setup here as well. So, I wish everyone all the very best," the stalwart concluded.
--IANS
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