Royal Challengers KSCA Academy launched

Honourable Karnataka Chief Minister Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda officially declared the Royal Challengers Karnataka State Cricket Association Academy open at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore earlier this week.

The academy, which will run through the year will be dedicated to train and mould talent from all parts of the state. The RC-KSCA Academy is also set to roll out a unique year-long academy programme across the seven zonal centres, therefore providing excellent cricket facilities and guidance in the various districts.

Coaching and facilities will be made available to every talented youngster in every part of Karnataka to give them the best chance to realize their potential.

In preparation, the RC-KSCA Academy successfully conducted a free six week long summer coaching camp in April and May 2012.

The objective of the camp was to provide youngsters across the state a chance to show their abilities. They got a chance to improve their skills under the guidance of qualified coaches while also allowing the KSCA a chance to spot rare talent and nurture it.

A total of 1548 youngsters from 31 districts participated in the camp which was held in seven zones –Bengaluru (425 participants), Dharwad (162), Mangalore (176), Mysore (140), Raichur (198), Shimoga (207) and Tumkur (240).

The most promising students from the camp will undergo training at the RC-KSCA Academy.

Their curriculum will consist of year-long training and skills development through a four-day week where matches are played in the last two days. During the time of the exams, activities for the trainees will cease. Technology will play a growing role especially with the introduction of the CVBC method, that is, cognitive video-based coaching initiated by the KSCA.

Evaluation for trainees will be at the six-month mark to keep track of the physical growth in the boys and the skills added. The RC-KSCA Academy, therefore, will bring international standards to grassroots level cricket in Karnataka.

As one of the head coaches remarked, the academy will create an atmosphere that allows a boy to express himself in cricket while also underlining the importance of education.

The first of its kind academy in India, it is the brainchild of RCB Mentor and KSCA President Anil Kumble and his team which consists of many Karnataka and India cricket legends such as Gundappa Viswanath, Javagal Srinath, Roger Binny and Venkatesh Prasad. The Royal Challengers are a long term partner in the academy, dedicated to help the state shape its youngsters into world class cricketers.