The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : HCA to take up cricket training in a big way

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Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

HCA to take up cricket training in a big way

V. V. Subrahmanyam

Cricket Academy for Excellence at Gymkhana Grounds on the lines of Australian Cricket Academy

Part of measures to give new direction to the sport: Ayub
Academy plans to conduct regular tournaments

-PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Perfect pitch: Academy at Gymkhana Grounds will offer round-the-year coaching.

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) will set up a full-fledged Cricket Academy for Excellence at Gymkhana Grounds, on the lines of Australian Cricket Academy. This was one of the major decisions taken at the first executive meeting of the newly-elected HCA office-bearers on Monday. Former Test cricketer and now HCA vice-president Arshad Ayub said that the decision was part of the sweeping measures to be initiated to give a new direction to the sport in twin cities and affiliated units of HCA.

Why Gymkhana and not Rajiv Gandhi Stadium (Uppal)? “The whole idea is to ensure uninterrupted training programme throughout the year for all the players. With Rajiv Gandhi Stadium being the venue for all Ranji Trophy matches, internationals and Indian Premier League, there’s a possibility of frequent disruptions to the academy’s schedule,” he explained. Mr. Arshad, who was named chairman of the newly-formed Cricket Development Committee, has also been asked to visit Australian Academy and make an in-depth study and return with a ‘master plan’ for the proposed academy. “I am scheduled to complete the process within the next two weeks,” Mr. Arshad explained. But, the former India star did inform that the academy would be functioning year-long with the programmes being more specific for all State cricketers of different age groups. “The whole objective is to ensure that they are always under the scanner and a list of high-profile, qualified coaches will be assisting the HCA’s own panel for better results,” he pointed out. The HCA vice-president clarified that there would be no clash of interests with the zonal academies of NCA to be set up at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium. “Our concept itself is different as NCA is more oriented towards summer coaching and mostly related to camps for the different national sides of various age groups. Our academy has plans to conduct regular inter-academy tournaments to give exposure and also test the talent,” he added.

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