MUMBAI: Retired India batting great Sachin Tendulkar has joined forces with Middlesex Cricket to launch an academy for budding male and female cricketers.

The academy will provide training for children between the ages of nine and 14 through a comprehensive curriculum developed by the county coaches and Tendulkar, who is the world’s leading run-scorer in both Tests and One-day Internationals, at the Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy (TMGA).

“I am delighted to be partnering with Middlesex Cricket on this new venture,” Tendulkar, who retired in 2013 with more than 34,000 international runs to his name, said in a statement. “The objective is not only to produce good cricketers but also good global citizens of the future. Through this association, Middlesex and I are focused on providing the very best in cricket education, as much as possible, for our students.”

Merchant Taylor’s School in Northwood will host the Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy’s first cricket camp from Aug 6 to 9. There will be several cricket camps which will venture to Mumbai, London and further afield.

“The academy will provide young girls and boys between the age of 9 and 14 an opportunity to learn from two of the most respected and renowned institutions in world cricket — Sachin Tendulkar and Middlesex Cricket,” read a joint statement.

“The comprehensive training curriculum developed by the professional coaches at Middlesex and the Master himself will help young and budding cricketers with various aspects of cricket, including insights into athletic development, sport psychology, tactical development and technical modifications.

“With talent identification at the core of the academy, TMGA will also provide opportunities for talented underprivileged children with 100 scholarships available.”

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2018