ICC Global Cricket Academy to be functional from 2008

Mohali, Oct 30 (UNI) The ICC Global Cricket Academy, to be housed in the Dubai Sports City, will start functioning from early 2008.

Dubai Sports City CEO U Balasubramaniam told newspersons here today that the academy will provide the best facilities to the cricket-playing countries for training their teams and junior players under an ideal residential environment.

Director of coaching in the academy Rodney Marsh who was also present at the press conference disclosed that soil will be brought from various countries so that different types of pitches can be found there.

Admitting that the commercial interests of the venture has to be kept in mind, he said, ''We will offer our best services to anyone who is interested. The cricket playing nations can send their players to us for training, rather than build academies of their own.'' Marsh, one of the greatest wicketkeepers of the world, had been the mastermind behind the Australian and the English Academies.

The Dubai Sports City will also house a Ernie Else designed golf course, Butch Harmon School of Golf, Manchester United Soccer Schools, David Lloyd Tennis Academy and the World Hockey Academy.

Fina, swimming's global governing body, has also evinced their interest in the project, Mr Balasubramaniam said.

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