Budding cricketers in the UAE will get a chance to pick the brains of Ravichandran Ashwin on a regular basis after the all-rounder announced the launch of his new academy in Dubai.
His Chennai-based GenNext Cricket Academy and Kings’ Schools have partnered together to form the GenNext Kings’ Cricket Academy which will provide a unique coaching programme designed by Ashwin himself for youngsters to take their game to the next level.
Ashwin, who finished as the highest wicket-taker with 18 scalps in the 3-0 Test series whitewash against Sri Lanka, said: “This partnership is definitely going to contribute to continuous improvement in coaching techniques with a flavour of innovation and drive to excel.
This would open the door for the budding youngsters to be inspired by the current playing cricketers apart from learning the tricks of the trade and lessons the hard way.”
The Indian star will open the centre later this month and the brand ambassador and chief mentor will fly to the emirate in between domestic and international commitments to pass on his knowledge.
He has appointed former cricketer and CEO of Kenya Cricket, Kobus Olivier as his director of cricket.
Olivier, who holds the same role at Kings’ School, believes it’s a milestone step. “The GenNext Kings’ Cricket Academy will be the first and only cricket academy that is an extension of a school cricket programme,” he told Sport360°.
“Ashwin and his coaching team has designed his own training programmes which will be taught at the academy. I’m confident this will set the benchmark for sports academies and schools in the region.”
Alan Williamson, director of education at Kings’ Schools, said: “Kings’ are delighted to enter into a partnership with quite simply one of the best cricketers in modern times. We are massively ambitious in terms of our aims for developing cricket in Kings’ and at school level in Dubai.”
Akshay Khanna, head of business development for Kings’ Schools, added: “We are delighted to offer budding cricketers, both Kings’ students and beyond, the opportunity to make greater use of our outstanding coaching team, facilities and access to what is pegged to be the top cricketing academy in the UAE.”
