Harbhajan meets officials to get his Mumbai cricket academy off the ground

India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who wants to start a cricket academy in Mumbai, met Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials in this regard on Monday.

The tweaker is keen on setting up the academy at the Shahaji Raje Krida Sankul in suburban Andheri, popularly known as the Andheri Sports Complex. He told the civic body officials of his interest in the plot.

At the meeting with Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte, Harbhajan also promised to coach BMC school students free of cost if the civic body agreed to allot him the plot, revealed a source.

Harbhajan Singh wants to start his cricket academy at the Andher Sports Complex in Mumbai. File Pic

The Municipal Commissioner though hasn't taken a decision on the issue.

The Commissioner suggested that the approval might take time. "Harbhajan Singh wants to start a cricket academy in the city. As of now we cannot give approval to the academy since the state government has stayed allotting recreation and play ground (RG-PG) policy."

Kunte also said that the BMC would examine the scheme if Singh submitted an official proposal that included 2-3 options for locations.

It would be great news for students of BMC schools in the western suburbs, at least, if Harbhajan gets to start his academy for it would allow them to access to world class facilities and coaching free of cost.

Welcoming the Harbhajan's plan, leader of the house in the BMC Yashodhar Phanse said, "If this comes true then there is great scope of children getting some sporting activity at the sports complex. Earlier, the purpose of building Shivaji Raje Krida Sankul was sports but now instead of sports various different commercial events happen there. There it would be good to have sporting activities."
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