J-K's first cricket academy begins grooming young budding children in Srinagar

Srinagar (J-K) [India], May 11 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir's first ever cricket academy has officially started working to groom young budding cricketers of the state. The first of its kind, state cricket academy is housed at Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium. The State Government had last month given its nod for a cricket academy to be run in Srinagar. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is also the president Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, and State Minister for Sports Imran Raza Ansari, had approved the decision to start the state's first cricket academy. The first coaching camp for Under-16 boys is being held and in coming months, many age categories will be included in this academy. The registration for the camp started on May 2. The 21-day program will be overseen by certified coaches and fitness trainers with an aim to inculcate budding cricketers with nuances of the game from young age. The main purpose of the academy is to nurture cricketers at the grass root level and intends to be nursery for producing cricketers for bigger stage. The cricket academy will also help in streamlining state wide cricketing activities and provide opportunity to talented cricketers across the state. It is expected that such more academies will be opened in various districts of the Valley in the coming months. Local cricketers hailed this step taken by the government. (ANI)