New Delhi: National Cricket Academy (NCA) under chairmanship of MP Pandove on Thursday decided to enter into a strategic tie-up with Cricket Australia along with the setting up of an independent complex to shift the facility from Bangalore.
In another significant development, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur proposed to help the cricketers of Nepal, who have been affected by devastating earthquake.
"Considering the unfortunate tragedy that has devastated Nepal, the Honorary Secretary, Mr Anurag Thakur, proposed that the BCCI must extend the facilities available at the NCA to the national cricketers of Nepal, who are deprived of such facilities, which will take time to be restored in their home-country," a media release issued by BCCI stated.
The new committee of the NCA met here for the first time to discuss some important points about cricketing infrastructure and strategic tie-ups.
"Our delegation had been to Australia to discuss about Exchange Programme of players and coaches. Our players will go for High Performance Programme in Cricket Australia's Academy. Also our coaches will be going there for advanced coaching courses. More trained our coaches are, better it is for us," a member of NCA committee said.
The second aspect was "building an independent NCA complex" as there is a plan to shift it from Chinnaswamy Stadium's KSCA facility in Bangalore.
"Pune and Dharamsala are two areas which are in BCCI's radar for making an independent NCA complex. Currently, we are using KSCA facility. We will have to buy a land, create a full complex with swimming pool, gymnasium, apart from cricketing facility. Any state association, that can get hold of 20 acres of land close to the city would be welcome by BCCI," the source said.
"The NCA also decided that it would direct all state associations under its wings to have their State Cricket Academy within next two years. The BCCI gives a lot of grant and it is a must. The committee was unanimous on it," the source added
