Ahmedabad, 11 September 2014

Vadodara based cricketer brothers Yusuf and Irfan Pathan today launched their dream venture Cricket Academy of Pathans, which will start functioning from next month-end in their home town Vadodara in Gujarat. Pathan brothers have tied up with former India coach Greg Chappell and Cameron Tradell as chief mentors. Chappell would coach the coaches of the Academy. Pathan brothers plan to take the Academy to three other cities by early next year and aim to have 50 academies across the country by the end of next year.

Addressing a press conference in Vadodara today, Irfan Pathan said he and Yusuf had identified two or three coaches. He has played with Greg and he knows how well he can share his knowledge with the kids. The academy will also focus on nutrition, psychology and physical developments of the kids. The fees for one coaching course would be about Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 and the academy will be affiliated with the state association, said Irfan. Irfan said, “this had been our vision for a long time and we wanted to give something back to the game. We wanted to do something different and this Academy will have two modules. The course will be for a duration of 8-9 weeks after which the child can for the advanced course. We will go to schools which have infrastructure and set up over there. It is not stationary and we will keep having these courses throughout the year.”

Gujarat players to represent India in Asian Games

In another Sports related news from Gujarat, Anand based shooter Lajja Gauswami will be part of the 516-strong Indian contingent for the Asian Games 2014 which is going to begin in Incheon, South Korea in 10 days. Similarly Tennis player Ankita Raina, Swimmer Anshul Kothari, Table Tennis player Harmeet Desai, Swimmer Neil Contractor will also be part of Indian contingent for the Asian Games 2014. This detail was shared by Sports Authority of Gujarat. In one more sports related development in Gujarat, the Khel Mahakumbh torch run was flagged off in capital Gandhinagar today in presence of sports persons and concerned government officials.