Dubai: Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is looking to take his coaching enterprise to different parts of the world. After launching his first academy named ‘M.S. Dhoni Academy’ in Dubai in November last year, he will now open his second academy in Singapore this month-end.
Meanwhile, Pacific Sports Club, which set up the Dhoni’s initiative in Dubai, will be also backing Dhoni’s mission to set up more academies around the world.
Speaking to Gulf News, Parvez Khan, chairman of Pacific Sports Club said: “Pacific Sports Club has the rights to set up his academy in UK, South Africa and in Middle East Nations. We are moving ahead with the plans. Right now we are in talks with Saudi Arabia and Oman too. It is good for cricket and the kids around the world will be hugely benefited.”
Dhoni has already inspired many kids in India to take up the game. The new academy in Singapore will be located at St Patrick’s School. The MS Dhoni Academy in Dubai is also located in a school at the Springdales School in Al Quoz.
Commenting on his new academy, Fox Sports Asia has quoted Dhoni as saying: “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. 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.”
Well-known names in the Singapore cricket fraternity such as Chetan Suryavanshi, Chaminda Ruwan and Diviya GK will be working together with the former India captain to develop a curriculum at his academy.
According to information, Dhoni is set to launch another 12 such academies in Asia, working alongside Academia7 and Aarka Sports. Close to 200 children are believed to have signed up for the academy in Singapore.
During the opening ceremony in Singapore on January 20, Dhoni will meet and greet with the fans during an ‘In Conversation with MS Dhoni’ event. Dhoni will then join the Indian team for the limited-overs leg of India’s tour of South Africa, which will start in February.
