NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has massive plans for creating a Centre of Excellence in the outskirts of Bengaluru which will shift a majority of operations from the existing National Cricket Academy (NCA), Times of India reports.
Although the BCCI had upped NCA’s budget from Rs 260 million to Rs 500 million in 2018 for the time being, it is eyeing its mega Rs 5 billion investment to pay off with the new centre.
After a two-year delay, the project is estimated to be completed in 18 months. Reportedly, the board has purchased 40 acres of land in order to build four grounds, which will have imported soil and clay for hybrid pitches that resembles those used overseas.
The BCCI is also keen to make this centre much sought-after for sports medicine research and offer courses to trainers and physiotherapists through reputed medical universities and research institutes across the state of Karnataka. It has also raised the bar for qualification criteria for its trainers (strength and conditioning coaches) as they need to be certified from either from the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) Level 2, UK Strength and Condition Association (UKSCA) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS).
The NCA has come under criticism for its functioning in recent times and it is felt that the academy isn’t up to the mark even when it comes to having fitness trainers and physiotherapists of world-class standards, who can match up to the demands of contemporary sport.
“There are no institutes in India that offer these courses. There is only one which can train you for the ASCA Level 1 degree. Generally, trainers register online and take the tests. Thus, the process is quite tough,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying to TOI.
“This will bring about uniformity in trainers across the country and it will also help Indian trainers making it to the IPL teams. This will help in monitoring players round the year.”
