Fairytale twist for the wasteland

The fact that it pipped the Sector 16 Stadium,a venue that has hosted ODIs and a Test match,would give maximum cheer to Deepinder Singh,Secretary LIC Club,and the man responsible for making the dumping ground turn into such beautiful ground. “This is the happiest moment of my life,” Deepinder told Sportline,”LIC Club’s only aim is to promote sport among all irrespective of their financial backgrounds. It is good to see poor children come to the academy and learn the nuances of cricket instead of wasting their time in petty activities. We want to provide them a direction in life. Imagine what all our trainees will learn watching the stars when the international teams come and play here in February.”

The LIC Club collaborated with the Education Department to establish the academy. And at present,30 girls and 35 boys take coaching at the academy. For Manoj (14) and Ravi (16),sons of a fruit-seller living in Bapu Dham Colony,the academy has given them a fresh start in life. Ravi said,”Such academies are a boon for poor children like us. I am so excited to know that international cricketers will be playing at our academy during the World Cup.”

Manoj said,”Earlier,I used to be idle most of the times after the school got over. We have been enrolled ever since the academy was established. Now I take part in various local cricket tournaments and aspire to be a batsman.”

Lauding the LIC cricket academy,PCA spokesperson,Sushil Kapoor,said,”The academy has good playing conditions required for the sport. It is not that PCA has given the affiliation in a hurry. Two seasons of JP Atray matches were held here which gave us excellent results. Moreover,with so much domestic cricket happening these days,giving affiliation to a suitable academy was on the cards.

The PCA will install Dressing Rooms soon ahead of the World Cup warm-up games. In the coming season,the LIC cricket academy will also be made the Punjab womens cricket centre,and a female coach would also be deputed at the centre.”