Dhoni opens Cricket academy in Dubai

New Delhi: The flamboyant Indian cricketer MS Dhoni visited Dubai on Saturday and unveiled his first global cricket academy in the effervescent city of Dubai.

Named after the two-time world cup winning captain the MS Dhoni Cricket Academy (MSDCA) is a joint venture of Dubai-based Pacific Sports Club and Aarka Sports Club which has been in operation for a couple of months at the Springdales School in Al Quoz. The academy will be facilitated by Indian coaches and trainers.

The 36-year-old officially launched the academy witnessed by the excited trainees, parents and other key stakeholders of the facility.

The sparkling cricket academy comprises of four turfs, three cement and three matted pitches, spin and swing bowling machine, safety nets, lights for night practice, in-house sports shop for quality cricket gear and video analysis.

It will also organize regular matches and will also field squads in tournaments to enable trainees to gain vital match practice.

There is also an aim to engage the parents in the overall development of their children while they train at the academy.

The coaching staff, led by former Mumbai bowler Vishal Mahadik, is well equipped to manage the progress of the students.

Speaking about his association with the academy, Dhoni said: "I am delighted to be a part of this venture and will contribute in every way possible to make it a success. It has been my dream to contribute to the game in every way possible. This is the first step in that direction. The enthusiasm of the trainees is what will drive this venture."

The shorter format wicket-keeper batsman was quoted as speaking to Gulf News, “Sports has attained a global stature not just for fostering athleticism and sportsmanship, but also as a viable business platform that involves many different stakeholders, from small businesses to big conglomerates and organisations. I am delighted to be a part of the club and will contribute in any means possible to make it a success.”

Parvez Khan, the director of Pacific Ventures, commented, “The academy is in perfect shape and it will be a big thing for UAE cricket to have an academy run by a legend like Dhoni,” while talking to Sportstar.

With several veterans like Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh already owning academies within India, it isn't surprising for Dhoni to be out of the box and owning a first of a kind global cricket academy.

(With PTI inputs)