Baseball can become a major sport in India, feels Larkin

Major League Baseball (MLS) star Barry Larkin feels that baseball can become a popular sport in India if players are provided with the right information about the game. "I see lot of good players here. They have the skill and athleticism to grow big in this sport, but these players need to be guided. Information about the sport is very important," said Larkin. Larkin, who is on his maiden India trip along with Olympian softballer Natasha Watley to encourage paticipation of Indian youths in these two sports, feels providing correct knowledge is a challenge. The American Embassy as part of its Sports Envoy programmme organised a coaching clinic for young sports enthusiasts in Imphal, followed a two-day camp at the national capital which started today. Impressed with the technique of the players, Larkin feels more such camps should be organised in future. "I was amazed to see the sheer athleticism of the sportspersons in Imphal. But, in Delhi it's more of technique. Their hand-eye coordination is very good," he said. The duo also visited the Taj Mahal during their maiden trip to the country. "We went to see the Taj Mahal. It's beautiful. Never saw such a thing before," Natasha, who was part of America's silver-medal wining softball team in Beijing Olympics, said. She feels there is great potential to develop softball in India as there are lot of players who are keen to pursue the sport as their career. "I see lot of potential here. Softball can be popularised here if good coaches are involved in grooming players," she said.