Sehwag launches cricket academy

[1983-2011]

Jhajjar: Virender Sehwag, undergoing rehabilitation for a shoulder injury that flared up during the Test series in England, said on Sunday that he would strive to get fit for the home matches against the West Indies. Sehwag was speaking on the sidelines after launching his cricket academy at the Sehwag International School in Jhajjar, Haryana. Ū am trying to get ready for action in time for the West Indies tour of India, the India opener said. Sehwag played the first two Tests in England at LordÃÔ and the Oval before seeking permission for rest and rehabilitation. Talking about his cricket academy, Sehwag said, Ūt was my fatherÃÔ dream. He told me that when you become a big player you must build a school and facilities for sports, so that next generation of budding sportsmen donÃÕ struggle like you did. Recalling his early days, the India batsman said that he had to travel from Najafgarh for two hours everyday to reach the training facility. IndiaÃÔ Davis Cup star Mahesh Bhupathi and former Asian Games medal-winning swimmer Khajan Singh will be involved in training at the academy where facilities for swimming, horse riding, boxing and tennis have been established. The cricketerÃÔ coach AN Sharma is also likely to be part of the staff. http://cricket.expressindia.com/news/Sehwag-launches-cricket-academy/857916/

[Laaloo]

Sehwag played the first two Tests in England at LordÃÔ and the Oval before seeking permission for rest and rehabilitation.

ye banda kaunsi match dekh raha tha? :cantstop:

[WC2011INDIA]

I hope he doesn't turn out to be another Anil Kumble. Signing up players and then lobbying hard on their behalf to get into national side. Didn't expect this from Anil Kumble :((

[ChanaLal]

The best way is to have a foreign coach runs these academies

[vamos_rafa]

I hope he doesn't turn out to be another Anil Kumble. Signing up players and then lobbying hard on their behalf to get into national side. Didn't expect this from Anil Kumble :((

How do you know that Anil Kumble lobbied for the 2 players?

[crickfan]

even rahul dravid should do this

[Tiger80]

It was my father's dream: Virender Sehwag Promising to do as much as he can for the rural talent of the state, injured India opener Virender Sehwag has said setting up a cricket academy of international standards was the dream of his father. Sehwag on Sunday reached the Shilani Kesho village in this district in connection with the launch of his integrated sports academy, which was made functional last year. The cricketer was accompanied by his mother Krishna and wife Aarti, who has been taking care of the school since its inception. "It was my father's dream to set up a cricket academy of international standard. Our main motto is to see that it produces sportspersons who are able to earn a name for themselves and make their nation proud," he told reporters. The multi-disciplinary academy will also impart training in tennis, horse riding, swimming, wrestling and Sehwag promised to bring in former baminton star Pulela Gopichand, tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi, former swimmer Khazan Singh and Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar for the cause. The cricketer also dismissed controversy surrounding the land with local villagers claiming that they were kept in the dark about setting up of the school, which they claimed was not part of the agreement. "We have deeds for setting up both the academy and the school. "From earlier reservation of 5 per cent, I have now decided to reserve 8 per cent seats for local talent. There is absolutely no dispute," Sehwag said, adding he thinks fees being charged for the facilities being provided here were fine. Sehwag thanked Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led state government for giving him a piece of land to start his dream project. The Sehwag International School started functioning last year and has an intake of over 320 students with classes from nursery to Class VII. A fortnight back, Punjab and Haryana High Court had dismissed a petition challenging Haryana government's decision to allot land to Sehwag to run a cricket academy. Some Jhajjar residents had sought a direction for quashing the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) signed by the state government to transfer the land in favour of the cricketer in 2008. It was contended by the petitioner that the land was allotted to Sehwag for setting up of the academy but he had set up an international school on the land and the school was charging hefty fees and as such the object and purpose of allotment was being defeated. Sehwag's Krishna Drishti Educational Society was given over 23 acres in Jhajjar's Shilani Kesho village in October 2008 on a 33-year lease by the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led government for a sports complex at Rs 3 lakh per acre to promote the interest of the residents of the city in the game of cricket. Meanwhile, asked about his return to the national team, Sehwag, who was recuperrating from a shoulder surgery and also a hearing problem, said he would be in the reckoning for selection against the West Indies. http://www.rediff.com/cricket/slide-show/slide-show-1-virender-sehwag-on-his-cricket-academy/20111010.htm