Latif to seek Team India's help for cricket academy

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif plans to seek the support of leading Indian players to raise funds for his cricket academy in Karachi.

The academy, launched four years back, functions in a residential area of the city on land allocated to Latif by the city government on long-term lease for a nominal rent.

"Our academy has been providing free coaching and kit to young players and practice facilities. We aim to continue doing that but for this purpose and to carry out some development work we need to raise funds," he said.

Latif said he had already spoken to leading Pakistani players who had pledged to support the academy by endorsing any sponsorship or taking part in fund-raising campaigns.

"But now I am keen to enlist the help of some Indian players because India has a flourishing cricket and commercial market and it can benefit the academy a lot," he said. 

"This year when India came to Pakistan and played in Karachi I got VVS Laxman to visit our academy but the others could not come due to a tight schedule and for security reasons.

"But soon I am planning to go to India and start working on seeking help from their players in an organised manner."

Latif has already managed to set up 16 practice wickets and changing rooms for players with private donations and in his next phase of development, he wants to construct a cricket ground and pavillion with a gymnasium and swimming pool.

"We are also keen to send one or two of our best players abroad to India or Australia on scholarships for some months," he stated.

Latif said the Lashings Cricket Club in England, for whom he plays in the English summer, had donated 12,000 pounds for the academy and they would continue to make an annual contribution.

"Some of the top players who play for Lashings as guest players have also agreed to visit our academy and old clinics," he added.