ESM Cricket Academy ties up with Ashwin

Denzil Pinto 00:03 24/12/2016
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  • East Sports Management’s Cricket Academy (ESMCA) was only just launched yesterday but their promising youths can already look forward to developing their skills at India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin’s Gen-Next Cricket Academy as part of their exchange programme.

    Twenty-four hours after being named the ICC Cricketer of the Year, Ashwin was back on the field, passing on his knowledge to 26 budding cricketers during a masterclass clinic at GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail, before officially opening the UAE’s latest cricket academy in Dubai.

    Having mentored kids himself and seen them strive in India, Ashwin was impressed with ESMCA’s vision and wants to give the UAE stars of tomorrow a chance of playing against their peers in Chennai next year.

    “I’m really excited about this as there are some boys who are exceptionally talented so hopefully I can see them next year in India,” said the 30-year-old, who finished top wicket-taker with 28 scalps in the 4-0 Test series victory against England.

    “This is just the start. We want to make sure that matches are possible for them.

    “This only helps a player become better. It also makes the character of a specific person. I’m 30 but cricket has taught me a lot, it has moulded my character and put me through a stern test.”

    Ashwin was speaking during a press conference held at the Shyam Bhatia Cricket Museum.

    Kobus Olivier, director of cricket at ESMCA, revealed small groups will be flown to India in 2017 and hopes to expand the partnership in the future.

    “What I’m trying to do with Ashwin is something sustainable and not just a one-off thing,” said the South African.

    “Letting them go to India will be a hugely valuable experience but I want to take this exchange programme one step further by bringing their coaches here to the UAE, while our coaches fly to India to conduct clinics with their boys.”

    During his three years in Dubai, Olivier has worked with many talented cricketers in the country but the ex-Kenya CEO insists ESMCA will set the bar high when it comes to coaching.

    “I can sum up the aims of this academy in one sentence – we want to set the benchmark for cricket academies in Dubai,” he said.

    “I’ve been involved in cricket in the UAE for three years and have been around the academies and they are doing a fantastic job.

    “But with East Sports Management, we have the vision to take this to the next level to really help boys that once they reach 15 or 16, they can continue developing.

    “We want to open the doors for them to play cricket and hopefully say that in 10 years time, that there’s a guy of ours who is playing in the IPL or has been offered a county deal in England.”

    James Bowring, commercial director at East Sports Management, added: “We not only want to create a very high standard training academy but also focus on development of players and pathway to excellence which we have done in our football academy,” he said.

    “We want to create talented athletes and take them through to the next level.”

    Registration for players, aged five and above, to join ESMCA is now open with sessions held at six
    selected GEMS schools in Dubai.

    For more information, email [email protected].

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