Kohima gets first cricket academy; NCA aims big

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 6 (EMN): The Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) has decided to construct cricket practice pitches in all the district headquarters in phase manner with an aim to ‘take the game to the people’.

NCA general secretary Hyunilo Anilo Khing said this on Thursday during the inauguration of XLRED Cricket Academy, a premiere cricket academy for the state capital and second in the state, at St. Mary Cathedral Higher Secondary School in Kohima.

While addressing the gathering, Khing stressed on the importance of infrastructure and good facility, which he said the state now has. He said the association has a full-fledged international standard cricket ground, 90-bedded academy, and facilities to host BCCI matches and cricket players in the academy.

He stated that the state has come a long way after having faced challenges and struggles over the years, but is now going in the right direction. He added that anyone can approach the members of NCA any time for help and advice.

“Cricket requires 101% dedication, focus, discipline,” Khing said, adding that one needs to have balance routine and dedicate with sheer discipline. The game is to be played by players and not infrastructures, he said.

He also lamented lack of cricket players from the state despite having all the facilities and the platform it gets at the national level.

President of Kohima District Cricket Association (KDCA) Atha C Angami stated that cricket, which is a very popular game in the country, is promising as pay for the players representing the state has been enhanced. He also encouraged the students, both boys and girls, to participate in the under-15 and under-19 categories while pursuing their studies.

Angami, who will also be a visiting coach at the academy, expressed hope that XLRED Cricket Academy will produce players to represent the state in different categories.

The proprietor of the academy Kechesin Keppen said that XLRED is a self-made acronym which stands for “Acceleration”, and the last three letters “RED” signifying Love, Passion, Power and Determination.

The academy envisions offering professional coaching with facilities and equipment for young sportspersons to excel in the sport. It will provide XLRED CC uniforms, netted batting cage, swinging ball net practice, cutting edge bowling machine, bowling speed test radar, well-protected environment floodlight, grass pitch and coir pitch, and one-on-one coaching. Other facilities like net practices, bowling machine practice, game situation reading practice, training with professional manuals, weekly/ monthly friendly matches, participation in tournaments, trails for selections, cricket camps, and exposure tour will also be given.

Coaching will commence next week and those interested can contact 9366570646/ 9774256851 for admission.