The Yas Lions Project | The KimAppa Show

In this episode, Jarrod Kimber interviews Robin Uthappa, co-owner and team director of the Yas Lions in the Abu Dhabi T10 cricket tournament. Uthappa shares his journey into management after a long career as a player. He discusses the challenges he faces, such as building a management team and communicating with the league. Uthappa expresses his excitement about the draft process for player selection and reflects on the different strategies teams adopted during the draft, highlighting the importance of forward-thinking decisions.

Uthappa emphasizes the need to create a positive environment for players where they feel valued and motivated to perform. He discusses his learnings from various franchise owners throughout his career and how he aims to implement those insights in his current role. The conversation touches on the importance of fostering relationships within the team and ensuring that all players feel acknowledged and supported.

As the tournament approaches, Uthappa reflects on potential challenges he may face in management, especially balancing his roles as a manager and a coach. He emphasizes the significance of trust in his team and the necessity of delegation. Uthappa expresses his belief that the T10 format can elevate cricket globally and is dedicated to contributing to its growth. The episode concludes with insights into the local talent within UAE cricket and Uthappa's hopes for the development of the sport in the region.