Ambati Rayudu supports HCA plans for Karimnagar cricket academy

Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu visited the VJR Memorial Cricket Ground in Karimnagar and backed plans for an HCA academy. He praised its facilities, called it suitable for BCCI-level matches and promised regular HCA league games at the venue

Hyderabad: Former India cricketer and Head of the Cricket Operations Committee, Hyderabad Cricket Association, Ambati Rayudu, along with T. Sheshnarayan, Chairman of the District Cricket Infrastructure Development Committee and former HCA Secretary, and Sunitha Anand, Head of Women’s Cricket Development, HCA, visited the Velchala Jagapathi Rao Memorial Cricket Ground & Academy at Alugunur, Karimnagar, on Sunday.

V. Agam Rao, President, Karimnagar District Cricket Association, briefed them about the development of the academy, the cricketing infrastructure already created, the turf wickets, practice nets and various initiatives being undertaken by KDCA for the development of cricket in the district. He informed the delegation that KDCA was prepared to provide additional facilities required for the proposed academy in accordance with HCA’s recommendations.

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The HCA delegation inspected the ground, turf pitches, practice nets and other cricketing infrastructure and discussed with KDCA representatives the possibility of establishing an HCA Cricket Academy at Karimnagar.

Rayudu expressed his happiness and appreciation at the high standard of the ground, turf pitches and practice nets.

Rayudu observed that the ground is of a standard suitable for hosting BCCI-level tournaments as well as TG20 League matches. He said that, with further augmentation of the required facilities, Karimnagar could emerge as an important venue for high-level competitive cricket.

He also assured that HCA would plan to regularly conduct its league matches at the VJR Memorial Cricket Ground in Karimnagar, providing greater exposure and competitive cricket opportunities to players in the district.

T. Sheshnarayan said that development of cricket infrastructure at the district level is among the top priorities of the SMC, the District Cricket Infrastructure Development Committee and the COC. Expressing satisfaction with the facilities at VJR Memorial Cricket Ground, he also observed that the ground is ready to host BCCI-level matches.

Rayudu interacted with KDCA Under-16 boys and more than 40 women cricketers who attended the HCA Women’s Open Selection Trials conducted at the VJR Memorial Cricket Ground & Academy.

Sunitha Anand also interacted with the women cricketers and reviewed the facilities and opportunities available for the development of women’s cricket.

The proposed HCA Cricket Academy at Karimnagar is envisaged to provide structured coaching, quality training facilities and player-development opportunities for boys, girls, men and women cricketers from Karimnagar and the surrounding districts of North Telangana.