Srinagar, Apr 13: After proving his credentials in the County Cricket of England, valley born cricketer has launched a cricket academy in Srinagar to train youngsters.
 Khursheed Ahmad Bazaz, known as Sunny who played for over 10 years in famous County Clubs of England and made a mark in County circles has launched an academy at Green Valley Educational Institute Elahi Bagh,  Buchpora here.
 To begin with, the academy has recruited over 300 youngsters who aspire to become professional cricketers. The training is being imparted to both boys and girls within the age group of 9-19.
 The training is given under the supervision of Sunny and for girls he is taking services of women coaches.
 “I have launched the cricket academy for the purpose of coaching young cricketers, coaching of the highest standard is provided on an individual, group, and team basis. The academy offers a variety of courses under a series of systemic and carefully planed training programs with skill improvement and professional excellence as integral component,” Sunny told Greater Kashmir.
 “Through this academy some of the talented cricketers may even get a chance to play in England. Being a member of the England County Club, I will do my best to promote our Kashmiri youth,” said Sunny who is also associated with RBF and Ghaziabad Cricket Academy in New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
 He said being from Valley himself he knows that in Kashmir talented cricketers hardly get a chance to play for the state and reach higher levels.
 “I know the state of affairs in Kashmir. Only the influential youth make it to the nets at state level, those deserving are left high and dry. The main aim of opening the academy in Valley is to give the deserving cricketers their due share,” he said.
 Pertinently during his 10 years of County Cricket career, Sunny has played for five clubs in England. The clubs include, Bolton Indians, Bolton Cricket Club, Toung Moor Cricket Club, Daisy Hill Club and Farm Worth Cricket Club, Lancashire Manchester.
 Asked about the reason for leaving United Kingdom and joining clubs in India.
  “In Britain, I had a lot of success. I want to use all my expertise and coaching skills on the Valley youth which I gained all these years in Britain. I want to do something for my soil” Bazaz said.
 About the standard of cricket in Valley he said, “There is no dearth of talent. However, we lack basic infrastructure, facilities and coaching stuff. Our players have got raw talent and it needs to be moulded into perfect one at an early age. Ironically due to lack of proper coaching our youngsters never are able to do that”.
 “When I came to Valley my aim was to start training academy. I was looking for the practice ground that will have all the facilities. At that time Green Valley management came with the helping hand and allowed me to start academy in their institute ground,” he said.
 He said that if J&K Cricket Association will work with full dedication and keep aside internal bickering, politics the J&K cricket will reach higher levels.
 “I have total belief on the talent we have. However, the politics, internal bickering and lack of dedication that is being applied by JKCA are totally absurd. They don’t have any plans to develop cricket and are only concerned about their self interests,” he said.
 “If the JKCA people start thinking and take concrete steps I am sure soon we will see JK team performing better at national level,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST