The 'other' royal Gaekwad to train Baroda cricketers

VADODARA: Aspiring cricketers from the city will soon be able to get cricketing tips from none other than royal scion and former cricketer Sangramsinh Gaekwad.
Sangramsinh, who settled in Mumbai decades ago, is launching a cricket academy in the city this week. It is being seen as a significant move because Sangramsinh and his family have been trying to find their feet in the city after the royal property dispute was settled two years ago.Himself an avid cricket fan and former Baroda Ranji captain, Sangramsinh is keen to contribute to the sporting scenario in the city.
Sangramsinh's nephew, Samarjitsinh Gaekwad too runs a cricket academy at Motibaug Ground and is also the president of Baroda Cricket Association (BCA). "The royal Gaekwad family was always close to cricket as a sport and Sangramsinh is no exception. He was keen to provide quality facilities and coaching to the aspiring cricketers in Vadodara and hence decided to start an academy here. Sangramsinh will keep visiting the academy and also give cricketing tips to young players," said sources close to the family.
Named Prince Sangramsinh Cricket Academy, the club will come up on a sprawling 10 acres of land near Akota-Dandia Bridge behind the Gaekwad Baroda Golf Club. Former Baroda Ranji captain, Narayan Satham, who has been keen to develop quality cricketers in the city, will be the head coach of the academy that will be launched on March 21.
"The academy is looking forward to absorb about 150 boys, who will be provided quality training and exposure in foreign countries too. But Sangramsinh is clear that the focus will be on producing good cricketers and not money. Many former international cricketers will also be invited to talk to the boys at the academy. It is his way of contributing to the city that gave him a lot," said sources.
Once the academy takes off, the royal family will seek affiliation with the BCA for participating in the official cricket tournaments.