‘SK Stadium would be renovated on Feroz Shah Kotla pattern’
ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Apr 19: After getting permission from Srinagar Municipal Corporation, J&K Cricket Association is all set to start work on world-class cricket academy.ABID KHAN
The SMC permitted JKCA to construct the academy adjacent to Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Sonwar. The Board of Control for Cricket in Indian (BCCI) had sanctioned Rs 10 crore for setting up of two academies in Jammu and Kashmir provinces.
JKCA general secretary, Saleem Khan said the academies would improve the standard of cricket.
“BCCI has sanctioned Rs 5-crore for each academy. In Jammu, former chief minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad had allotted land to JKCA, but that is too far from main city. We are thinking whether to establish the stadium in Jammu on existing land or not,” he said.
He said that the BCCI has made it mandatory for state associations to establish academies.
“The deadline to establish academy for us was April 2009. But due to last year’s circumstances, which included agitation and election, followed with winter months, we were not able to start work on the project. As a special case, the governing body has extended the last date up to December this year,” he added.
He said that the academy would be built on the pattern of National Cricket Academy, Bangalore and all the facilities would be available for players.
“Our Delhi based architects have made the designs. There would be four indoor-synthetic and cemented turfs, air-conditioned swimming pool, hi-tech gymnasium, conference and lecture halls, 30- five-star facility rooms and audio/video analysis. It will gave all the facilities for hosting international teams,” he revealed.
About the benefits of academy in improving the standard of Cricket in the Valley, he said, “ Currently our players can practice only during summer months. The academy would have indoor facility where practice can be done in winter months also.”
“Talented players in all age groups would be trained by expert coaches. We have not decided on coaches yet, but they would be international ones, “ he said.
About renovation of present Stadium, he said, “ JKCA president, Dr Farooq Abdullah has a dream of making international standard stadium in the Valley. He has pledged to start work on that before his term ends. Those are future plans and at present we are fully renovating SK Stadium with the help of Kothari architects who have designed Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi.”
The JKCA is also planning to organize junior level tournaments from this year.
“We are starting different age group tournaments shortly. From this year only those players would be considered for Ranji and other national level selections who will attend these camps. For Ranji trophy we will do selection before one month in order to prepare the team better,” he said.
The BCCI has given relaxation to every state to include one international and two outside state test player in Ranji squad. Taking benefit of that, JKCA last year included three outside players in their squad. But none of them could make any impact. They were over-age and had no international match experience.
“Last season we included players in hurry as the relaxation was given at last moment. This year, we will include those who will have international experience and who really can motivate our players,” Khan said.
“Apart from international players we will bring former international greats to valley for interacting with our players” he added.
FACILITIES IN ACADEMY
● The main cricket stadium (SK stadium)
● Indoor four cement practice wickets
● Bowling machines
● State-of-the-art gymnasium
● Lecture hall
● Audio/Video analysis
● 30 Air-conditioned rooms
● Catering services
● Swimming Pool
Published in Greater Kashmir on april 20-2009 http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=20_4_2009&ItemID=7&cat=4
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