Devang launches first floodlit academy in Eastern India

Kolkata, July 31 (UNI) Former Indian cricketer Devang Gandhi today announced the launch of the first floodlit cricket coaching camp in eastern India at Northern Park in the Southern fringes of the city.

The venture, a joint-effort of Balak Sangha Club and Kolkata Municipal Corporation, plans to bring together not only talented cricketers from the city but also the underpriviliged to play under the same roof.

Devang, who retired from first class cricket last season, will be the chief cioach, assisted by Utpal Chatterjee, Gopal Bose and a host of other pros from Bengal.

Balak Sangha, as a club, has produced several talented cricketers like Arun Lal, Snehashis Ganguly, Dilip Doshi and Devang himself.

''Initially, there will be four nets accomodating 72 boys and another four turf pitches in the winter would swell the numbers to 150,'' Devang said.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, ''I have got a lot from cricket. now its time to return some to the game.'' ''The idea of making a coaching camp at night is to find some additional time considering the pressure the children face nowadays.

It would be a weekend coaching and that too at night. So there should not be a problem,'' he said.

Faiyaz Ahmed Khan, member MIC, said, ''In addition to the cricket camp, Balak Sanghya would also make a sports complex to support football, Table tennis and power lifting.'' UNI