Sangri-La Cricket Academy, a professional cricket training center established by two former cricketers, has been inaugurated at Kupondol, Lalitpur on Sunday.
Aamir Akhtar, who had represented the national team and plays his professional cricket in minor leagues of England, and Birendra Bikram Shah, a member of 1999 Youth World Cup U-19 squad, have jointly set up the academy with an aim ‘to achieve excellence in cricket by creating an environment of learning competition, discipline and fun’.
Binay Raj Pandey, the president of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), was present in the inauguration who believed the academy was a good initiative and promised for the possible support. “Such academies should also be opened throughout the country,†he said. “We will extend possible support.â€Â
Binod Das, the national captain, Birendra and Manoj Sood have taken the responsibility of teaching the trainees at the academy which can accommodate 300 to 350 students in four sessions. “We are pleased that Binod Das has agreed to be our head coach,†Aamir said.
“I have been taking coaching courses and this is my opportunity to have practical hand,†Binod said on the occasion. “Cricket has given me name and fame, and I believe its feel good to give back what I have learnt to cricket.â€Â
The academy has the facility of six lanes wickets – two of which is turf, three cemented mat and one cemented along with public viewing gallery and cafeteria. “We will soon have a bowling machine and floodlight facility for evening session,†Birendra said.
The academy is running in the quarter-to-four ropani of leased land and charges Rs. 1,000 per month for training. The fee is Rs. 1,500 for the floodlight session. The total investment in the academy is close to Rs. 18,000.