Hanumant favourite to take over as academy's director

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's much awaited academy is to commence at Bangalore from May 1 and for this a lot of paper work is being done.

According to highly placed sources, former India Test cricketers Hanumant Singh and Ashok Mankad are the favourites to be appointed as the director of the academy. Mankad, currently in Calcutta with the Mumbai team as coach, may not agree since the director has to be stationed at Bangalore for at least a few months in the year at least. The BCCI, however, would have been keen to hire the services of Sunil Gavaskar to be the first director of the academy, but considering his busy schedule, he is in no position to accept any post outside Mumbai. But he remains the automatic choice, if available.

Hanumant too echoed the same view. "Sunil, if he can spare the time, is the best choice for the post". The BCCI is yet to approach Hanumant for the job. But if the terms between him and the BCCI are acceptable, then indications are that Hanumant may appointed. Hanumant is also on the ICC list of match referees, being one of the two nominees from India, the other being GR Viswanath.

The BCCI's cricket academy committee (chaired by former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur) has co-opted former Indian captains Polly Umrigar and S. Venkatraghavan. The committee is also likely to discuss on March 18 the names of various cricketers for appointing coaches. The names of Daljit Singh, Vasu Paranjpe, Balwinder Sandhu and Madan Lal are likely to come up for discussion. The committee is to appoint a few coaches to look after the young cricketers in various age-groups, likely to be trainees at the academy. The Board is also seriously considering the appointment of an Australian as chief coach.

The academy will also seriously consider the boys' education, their syllabus and language problems which they are likely to face as they will be hailing from different parts of the country. The boarding and lodging arrangements will be done in co-ordination with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and the Board is particular about the academy having a well equipped gymnasium and swimming pool.