Dubai: The much-awaited Mahendra Singh Dhoni Cricket Academy will be inaugurated by India’s World Cup winning captain Dhoni on November 11. He will also inspire youngsters through a cricket clinic the next day. The academy is located in Springdales School in Al Quoz.
Speaking to Gulf News, Parvez Khan, Chairman of Pacific Sports Club (PSC) that will back the operations of the academy, said: “Dhoni is an exemplary leader who has always led by example. His vision for cricket, his cool never-say-die-attitude and his acumen makes him the greatest ever cricketer even if he hasn’t made the most number of runs or centuries in world cricket. So we did not have any doubt as to what it would take to create a world-class academy. We naturally wanted to be associated with the world’s greatest cricketer and we are confident that the local UAE talent will benefit from his attributes, imbibe his qualities and aspire to be a champion like him.”
Legendary Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram, who is here as the coach of the Pacific Ventures company backed Maratha Arabians team that will take part in the upcoming T10 tournament, visited the academy on Tuesday.
After mixing with a few youngsters that visited the academy, Akram said: “I am very impressed with the facilities of this academy and it will be a big boost for youngsters here. This academy’s facilities can also be used for training sessions of the Maratha Arabians during the T10 cricket league.”
This is the first time Dhoni has ventured into coaching and PSC is delighted he has chosen Dubai for the launch of his venture.
Mahmood Merchant, managing director of Pacific Sports Club, said: “We are extremely honoured over Dhoni launching the academy. We will see very good cricketers coming out of this academy who can go on to represent UAE soon. There will be high-level coaching and training as well as a strategic sports development programmes managed by well-known sports personalities.”
Dhoni had held discussions with Merchant at his residence in Ranchi on the plans for the academy recently.
Khan also revealed that PSC has all exclusive rights to MS Dhoni Cricket Academy not just in the UAE but other GCC countries, South Africa and the UK. “Dhoni will be hands-on with the activities of the academy with frequent visits,” said Khan.
Dhoni who retired from Test cricket after scoring 4,876 runs now focuses on limited overs cricket and is just 174 runs short of completing 10,000 runs in One Day Internationals.
