 Bangalore
has produced some of the best cricketing heroes. Prasanna, Chandrashekar
and G.R. Vishwanath have made an impressive mark, playing in
the international level. Players like Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble,
Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Dodda Ganesh and Sunil
Joshi have also represented the country in the playing eleven
of the national team.
The city has a vibrant cricketing tradition. People from all walks
of life play cricket throughout the year. There are many professional
cricket academies, run by former international players. Some of the
prominent ones are Brijesh Patel Cricket Academy, A.V. Jayprakash
Cricket Academy, Bangalore Cricketers, City Cricketers and YMCA Cricket
Academy.
Karnataka
State Cricket Association (K.S.C.A)
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (formerly the Mysore
Cricket Association) is committed to develop Karnataka as the premier
cricketing state in the country. It aims to take the game to mofussil
areas of the state for development at the grassroots level and to
continuously promote the welfare of players.
It was founded during the year 1933-34  and
was affiliated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The Association made steady progress from 1934 to 1959 when the Silver
Jubilee was celebrated to coincide with the visit of the Australian
team to Bangalore to play against the combined Universities XI.
In the late sixties the Association acquired its own cricket ground
and the stadium now known as the M.Chinnaswamy
Stadium came into being. Bangalore became a Test centre, and
several memorable tests and ODIs, including the 1996 World Cup
quarter-finals, have taken place here.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association has grown from strength to
strength and today, is one of the best-organsied State Cricket Associations
in the country. The Association today has over 4000 members from diverse
backgrounds.
Address: M.G. Road, Bangalore - 560 001
Phone: 2286 3298
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
The splendid 25-year-old M.Chinnaswamy Stadium located right
in the heart of the city, is flanked by the lovely Cubbon Park
on one side and M. G. Road on the other.
The stadium was built on a land secured from the Government of Karnataka.
In fact, it is with the active assistance and patronage of the then
Government of Karnataka, and successive Governments since that time,
the stadium is today acknowledged as one of the finest in the country.
For this, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (K.S.C.A)
is deeply grateful.
It boasts of a seating capacity of 50,000, and offers all facilities
for players and the press. In addition, the stadium complex has badminton
courts, swimming pool, health club, gymnasium and residential rooms,
for the benefit of members.
This spectacular stadium has staged 12 Test matches, 10 One Day Internationals
including 2 World Cup matches (1987 Reliance Cup and the
1996 Wills World Cup), and numerous Ranji Trophies, state
level and local club matches.
YMCA
Cricket Academy
 Nowadays,
the young ones are very keen to play the favourite game of the country
- cricket, though the game is shrouded in controversies. A high level
of efficiency and skill has emerged to be the requisite aspect. The
Academy intends to provide a platform for youngsters to carve their
names in the world of cricket.
In order to help those youngsters who have a dream of making it to
the top in the field of cricket and to those who have the basic aptitude
and skill, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) has started
the Academy as a challenge to bring out the best of cricketing skills
among children.
Started in June 1997, it has successfully completed its third year.
It aims at grooming school and college students in the age group of
6 to 20 years in cricket, physical fitness, mental endurance and personality
development. The academy chooses students after a rigorous selection
trial to undergo one year advanced training in cricket skills and
physical fitness.
Training and activities during the programme:
| Cricket skills |
Physical
fitness |
| Aerobics
|
Yoga
& concentration techniques |
| Reflex
training |
Motivation
& self-development |
| Video
analysis |
Conditioning
camp at SAI |
| International
match exposure |
Diet
control |
| Sports
psychology |
Injury
management |
| Massage
manipulation |
Sports
medicine |
 Over
the years, the academy has shaped itself into being one of the best
training centres in the city. Backed by an efficient coaching team
of international repute, the academy strives to create talented cricketers
for the future. Some of the young boys already look well poised to
make it to the national team.
Address: City YMCA, Nrupathunga Road,
Bangalore - 560 001
Phone: 2221 1848
E-Mail: ymca_bangalore@vsnl.com
| J.Vinay |
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