Dravid joins Laureus World Sports Academy

Former India captain Rahul Dravid has been inducted into the Laureus World Sports Academy, becoming the 47th member of the panel. Dravid was at Christ Church C of E School in London's East End, along with former Australia captain Steve Waugh, meeting young coaches who have been trained with support from the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Dravid is the fifth cricketer in the panel after Waugh, Ian Botham, Kapil Dev and Vivian Richards.

"It is a great privilege to be invited to join the Academy and I look forward to supporting the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation," Dravid said. "I am truly honoured to be recognised alongside some of the greatest sportsmen and women we have ever seen.

"Sport has given me so much, and it is wonderful to now have the opportunity to make a difference in other people's lives."

Waugh, also a Laureus panel member, said he was delighted to welcome Dravid to the academy. "On behalf of all the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy I would like to welcome Rahul. He achieved amazing success in an illustrious career. He was so pugnacious and determined when he was at the crease, he could have been an Aussie," Waugh said.

"He shares with all of us in the Academy the belief about how effective sport can be in tackling problems and bringing people together which is at the heart of the Laureus philosophy."

Dravid retired from international cricket in 2012, finishing as Test cricket's fourth-highest run-scorer with 13,288 runs in 164 Tests. He is currently in England as a television commentator and was also appointed in a mentoring role to the Indian team in the run-up to their five-Test series in England.