Saba Karim launches cricket academy
Anand Mohan Sahay in Patna
Former India wicketkeeper Syed Saba Karim has launched a cricket academy in Bihar, in association with his school friend, former India under-19 captain and Ranji Trophy player Amikar Dayal.
Named the Cricket Academy of Bihar, it is the first of its kind in the state and will be situated at the Moinul Haq stadium.
The academy was inaugurated on Thursday by Bihar minister of Finance, Commercial Taxes, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, who is also associated with the Bihar Cricket Association.
Karim was the first cricketer from Bihar to play Tests and one-day internationals for India.
Speaking to rediff.com, he said he decided to launch his own academy in order to help talented youngsters from the state make it to the national team.
"There is no lack of talent in Bihar. What they lack is proper training. Now we will provide them this at our academy," he added.
Karim said he was encouraged in his endeavour by the overwhelming response he received when he conducted cricket clinics for short periods in Patna last year.
The academy starts functioning from today with a three-day coaching
camp for 200 boys in the age-group of seven to 19. Similar camps will be held for 12 days a month right through the year.
Karim informed that the academy has five wickets, including
two turf, two cement and one matting, at the stadium, which will be
further improved in the near future.
He said a module of rules and regulations have been laid out for the trainees, adding: "These rules are
on the pattern of the National Cricket Academy, so that if a player gets an opportunity to get admission to the national academy, he will not face any technical problem."
Mail Cricket Editor
