Greg takes up RCA job

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Former Team India coach Greg Chappel is back in India, this time in an advisory role at Rajasthan Cricket Association's ambitious academy.

RCA, which has opened its state-of-the-art Global Centre of Excellence, has roped in the services of the Aussie great ''to nurture global cricketing talent,'' according to its president Lalit Modi.

Ex-Indian team bio-mechanist and Chappell's companion in his heydays, Ian Frazer, will be the director of the Academy.

The Global Centre of Excelence is touted to be one of the most modern and well equipped academies in the world, dedicated to improving the standards of cricketing talent across the globe and in India.

The Academy, to be located in Jaipur, was inaugurated by Chappell and Modi.

Chappell, delighted to be back in India, said he was looking forward to working closely with all the coaches and players.

''I am proud to be involved with the Future Cricket Academy which truly is one of the best cricketing facilities in the world. I look forward to working closely with the Academy in identifying and nurturing fresh cricketing talent the world over,'' Chappell said.

Modi said, ''Given the best-in-class global facilities available to cricketers at the Future Cricket Academy and with Greg and Ian at the helm, nurturing global cricketing talent will be the focus.'' ''I am certain, that the cricket loving fans the world over will soon start seeing the direct benefits of the Future Cricket Academy in terms of the cricketing talent that will be groomed in its hallowed halls at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium,'' he added.

The Academy will have five indoor pitches, a full video analysis system and 24 outdoor practice wickets. It will accommodate 70 students and will have a state-of -the-art gymnasium provided by Cybex, the US-based fitness equipment manufacturers, with recreational and eating facilities and electronic data library.

UNI