SINGAPORE – Indian wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni is all set to launch his second cricket academy outside India in Singapore on January 20.
Located at St. Patrick’s School on the city state’s East Coast Road, the MS Dhoni Cricket Academy (MSDCA) is templated on the one that opened in in Dubai last November.
Academia7 (tying in with Dhoni’s shirt number) is the franchise holder for the academy in 13 countries in partnership with Dubai-based sports management company Aarka Sports has laid out plans to establish up to eight other academies in Asia, as well as one each in Australia (Sydney) and New Zealand (Christchurch).
“Sports should be an essential driver for the development of a child’s character. Apart from being fit, you can learn leadership and other important aspects of life via sports,” said the 36-year-old in a statement released on Friday.
“Every kid should play an outdoor sport. MS Dhoni Cricket Academy is not only about producing cricket talent, but our academy’s vision is to guide a kid to become a champion in life via sports.”
More than 200 children have signed up with the academy since registration started last month, Singapore’s Straits Times reports. The academy is open to children aged six and above, with corporate packages also available.
