Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals (RR) are all set to officially launch its second global academy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 12th October to continue its commitment to discovering budding talents, harnessing potential, and championing dreams across the globe.
It will be RR’s first academy in the Middle East while second globally after UK. With the latest development, the RR becomes first IPL franchise to start operation of an academy in the UAE.
Apart from discover budding talents, the IPL franchise is also trying to its global presence as a cricketing brand and promoting the sport across the world with the move.
The academy will be based in the Sevens Stadium facility – which is known for hosting the Emirates Airline Rugby 7s alongside its world-class Cricket facilities and is currently used by the IPL teams, including RR during their preparation for the 11 IPL 2020.
The venue also boasts three world-class ovals, two of which are floodlit, 6 floodlit turf nets and fully equipped changing rooms of the highest standards, suitable for participants of all ages.
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The RR’s UAE-based academy is being operated in partnership with UAE-based sports consulting firm RedBear Sports. In the Academy, girls and boys aged 6 to 19 would be able to access world-class coaching, with participants having the option of choosing between one to one session, team sessions, or group sessions with all sessions taking place under the guidance of Academy Director and former Zimbabwe captain, Graeme Cremer and his highly qualified coaching team.
RR’s COO Jake Lush McCrum said of the launch of the academy: “We're delighted to launch our first Royals academy in the UAE. The UAE is a modern hub for cricket, with players and teams from around the globe visiting due to its world-class infrastructure and facilities, such as those in the Sevens facility.”
McCrum further said, “The large subcontinent population makes it a great place for cricket to grow and expand and we are delighted to support in this process and to strengthen the already rapidly improving the UAE national side. Through this academy, we hope to accentuate the growth of the sport in the country, providing resources and structure to training that helps the talented youngsters to take the step to the next level.”
Meanwhile, Will Kitchen, Co-Owner, RedBear Sports LLC, stated: “We’re very excited to be partnering with Rajasthan Royals and the prestigious Sevens Stadium to launch and host the new Rajasthan Royals Academy – UAE.”
Kitchen signed off, “Rajasthan Royals have a rich heritage of developing and nurturing players; we believe that the combination of their expertise, our knowledge of player development and the quality of the facilities available at the Sevens Stadium, means that we will be able to offer young players in Dubai an unrivalled experience, and for those with potential, the opportunity to progress towards the IPL.”
(With India Today Inputs)
