MUMBAI, APRIL 16: The present scenario in cricket may not be the best of times for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). But its decision to launch the National Cricket Academy (NCA) next month in Bangalore has been received warmly, match-fixing allegations notwithstanding.The need for an academy was long due and though plans were made often, it's only now that a concrete step has been taken. NCA director Hanumant Singh only underlines the fact, stating ``it's never too late''.NCA, which begins functioning at the Karnataka State Cricket Association premises in Bangalore in May, will form the nurturing ground for aspiring cricketers, mainly between the ages of 16 and 22, aiming to make it to the national team.Presently, the Australian Cricket Academy serves as a classic example of training for youngsters internationally. The stunning success of the Australian team can easily be attributed to the Academy. Comparatively, India, which has a long list of past greats, has more or less relied on the domestic structure of the game and individual coaching to produce cricketers. With the face of cricket changing by the day, it has become necessary to impart specialised coaching and the Board has taken a step in the right direction.The seriousness can also be gauged from the fact that BCCI has chosen past cricketers with wisdom in Hanumant Singh, Roger Binny along with coach Vasu Paranjpe to look into the day to day functioning. Raj Singh Dungarpur is the chairman with Polly Umrigar and Brijesh Patel as members. Providing precious tips to the trainees would be men like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Srinivasan Venkataraghavan, Bishen Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna and Syed Kirmani. It's early days still and those incharge of NCA prefer to tread cautiously. ``We will have some teething problems,'' was Hanumant Singh's reaction. ``We have to look into every aspect of the game and the Academy would be mainly for the fringe players who have not consolidated. Importantly, we are keeping our minds open,'' he explained.Hanumant, who himself has been a player of repute and knowledge, is also aware of the flexibility factor. ``The age group to be targeted is 16 to 22 but we may even relax the rule when it comes to promising players.''A learned coach with a keen eye in Paranjpe is another plus for NCA which aims to provide ``speciality training''. A tough task master, he hints at the composition saying, ``those chosen have to improve, those who don't, despite the training, will make way for others showing spark.''With just a fortnight remaining before the long-standing plans are put into action, the former masters are busy discussing how to make the Academy the best cricket education centre.Those who fulfill the qualifications and don't find their names in the trainees' list may not get disheartened. Those incharge of NCA are taking all aspects into consideration and anyone who has something to offer can hope to be there.
