There is a “clear pathway” to international cricket by joining the Cricket Maxway Academy of Maxtalent Global Sports.
– #Quiz360: WIN a bungee jump with Gravity Zone
The academy has been steadily turning young UAE cricket talent into senior internationals since it started in 2006, with almost all of the UAE’s Under-19 World Cup squad from 2014 direct or indirect graduates of Maxtalent-organised coaching or tournaments.
Exciting young talents like Saurabh Gir and Jay Joshi have represented the UAE at Under-19 level.
Others like Rohit Singh and Chirag Suri have even gone on to be selected in the UAE senior men’s provisional 30-man squad for the ICC World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand next year.
State-of-the-art equipment, a host of skilled multi-national coaches, coaching master-classes from some of cricket’s renowned former players and global tours are all part of the deal when joining Cricket Maxway.
“We’ve already produced seven internationals for the UAE so there is a clear pathway,” said Maxtalent managing director Sudhakar Shetty.
“Of the UAE’s U19 World Cup squad earlier this year, 91 per cent were direct or indirect beneficiaries of Maxtalent activities.”
Maxtalent previously ran the biggest inter-school cricket tournament in the UAE.
The Vision Cup, for U13 and U17 boys and U17 girls, played in April, and the Pride Cup, played between UAE universities in October, are popular tournaments created by Maxtalent.
“We’ve got 230 kids at our academy while we also train another 160 to 270 kids in schools throughout the UAE,” added Shetty.
“We’ve got centres in Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, while we’re looking to set one up in Abu Dhabi in a few months’ time, hopefully next March. All our coaches are from Kenya, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Africa and the UAE.”
One of the exclusive aspects of the academy is the annual overseas tours they organise.
Shetty added: “We’re excited about the upcoming tour as we’re spending Christmas in Mumbai, India, between December 18 and 26, where we’ll be taking an U13 and U15 boys’ team.”
The tours are broken up throughout the year, with trips to Muscat and Doha for the U11s, U12s and U13s in March; a UK tour for U12s and U16s in July; and an U17 Africa tour in August.
Bringing in ex-players is also something Maxtalent believe is hugely beneficial for youngsters.
“We’ve had Jonty Rhodes coming in to hone the youngsters’ skills which was great as he’s a fielding and fitness guru,” said Shetty.
“Saqlain Mushtaq also taught the kids about spin bowling and we’ve also had Gary Kirsten and Rohit Sharma in to talk to the kids. “Player visits are something we’re hoping to do on an annual basis. That holds great value to us.”
What: Maxtalent Global Sports Cricket Maxway Academy
Founded: 2006
Where and when: At various locations across the UAE on a weekly basis
Contact: Visit www.maxtalent.org or email [email protected] for more information
