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A revolution of sorts
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The IMG Bharata Academy, which is coming up at Gachibowli, is likely to usher in a new phase in Indian sport
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Photo: P.V.SivaKumar
THE INTERNATIONAL Management Group promises to usher in a new chapter in Indian sport by setting up the IMG Bharata Academy on the 400-acre sprawling site at Gachibowli at a cost of Rs. 700 crores. The chairman of the IMG Bharata Academy, Andrew J. Krieger, is confident that once the construction work begins within nine months after the high-level delegation of designers headed by the renowned Arquitecto to finalise the master plan under the supervision of Peter C. Pivko, Director of Development, the Indian sports scene will witness a drastic change. Krieger says that the IMG is essentially planning to have a PGA Golf course, which should lure the best of the players and the organisers to Hyderabad. The club house is likely to enhance the beauty of the locale with 30 tennis courts, a cricket ground and a five-star hotel. Quite significantly, the Academy will initially have six disciplines - golf, tennis, cricket, basketball, aquatics, athletics and football. As per the plans, the IMG expert coaching panel will play a key role in identifying talent and grooming it. Interestingly, the MoU between the State Government and the IMG stipulates that the former will send a batch of 50 trainees who will be taken care of by the Academy.
The IMG chairman says the whole objective of the Academy is to provide the right ambience, training facilities and exposure to the best of talent in the State and in the country in general. "We have decided to limit the intake of trainees to 600 initially to ensure that they are taken care of in the best possible manner," he said. All the trainees will be in the age group of eight to 18 years and will be considered for admission after strenuous schedules of tests under trying circumstances. "There is no question of compromising on quality," he said. "We strongly believe that there is abundance of talent here which if channelised properly can see the emergence of many world champions," he added. The best part of the whole project is that the Government, besides allotting the site at nominal rate, will not be spending anything. The feeling that the Government will have to spend $ 15 million as cost of designing the master plan is dispensed with disdain. "We make it clear that the Government will only guide us and we will make our best efforts to live up to their expectation," Krieger asserted.
The IMG top brass is also looking at projecting the Academy as a centre of excellence and a role model for the other Asian nations. "We are also optimistic of a better response from the corporate groups and the other State Governments in ensuring that the Academy will lure not only the best of talent but also the performing athletes at the highest level. This will be the best training facility also for those who are really looking for something special in pursuit of excellence at the highest level," Krieger explained. It is pointed out that the Academy would be fully operational by 2006 with a minimum training facility of 20,000 square feet on the site. " A lot of Western coaches will also be there to assist us. There is no doubt that the IMG Academy will mark the beginning of a golden chapter in Indian sports," asserted Krieger.
Billy Rao, Director of IMG, insists that it is not just training that will enhance the performance levels of the State athletes in particular and the Indians in general, but also the fact that the Academy would be open to any team from all over the world preparing for Olympics. The exposure they get by merely watching some of the acknowledged greats in training sessions will be remarkable. Interestingly, Rao points out that it is the AP Events and Sports Company, a subsidiary wing of SAAP, will be on a two-year contract to take care of maintenance.
But it is apparent that the IMG is not just keen in creating world-class facilities, but also bringing international events in the near future. By all means, the topography of Gachibowli is all set to witness a sea change, ushering in a sports revolution of sorts.
V.V.S. SUBRAHMANYAM
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