Suresh Raina, who retired from international cricket last month, would set up a cricket academy in Jammu and Kashmir to train young talents, an official spokesman confirmed on Friday (September 18).

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On his visit to Kashmir on Friday, Raina met Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh to talk about the ideas of J-K Police for encouraging local youths in honing their sporting skills.

“Raina called on the Lieutenant Governor here and agreed to set up a cricket academy,” the spokesman quoted as saying by PTI.

“On the request of the Lt Governor, he agreed to set up five schools in Kashmir division and an equal number in Jammu division to train aspiring cricketers,” he added.

The spokesman further said that the Lt Governor appreciated Raina’s gesture and also enlightened him of the government’s resolve of developing sporting culture in the Union Territory.

“With sports and education, we shall give a new direction to the talented youth of J-K,” Sinha quoted as saying by PTI.

Earlier, Suresh Raina called on DGP Singh at Police Headquarters (PHQ) in Srinagar and had a conversation about a series of plans of J-K Police for encouraging the local youth in honing their sports skills, a police spokesman said.

The DGP also acknowledged that Raina’s presence in Jammu and Kashmir would help in connecting with the people, mainly the youth.

Raina aims to promote sports amongst youth of Jammu and Kashmir. In a letter to the DGP, the southpaw recently called for the promotion of cricket in Jammu and Kashmir by identifying talented youngsters, particularly underprivileged kids.

(With PTI inputs)