'Academies nurture talent'

Kanpur: "Academies are nurseries and they nurture talent. Dr Gaur Hari Singhania Cricket Academy will give talented cricketers to the state as well the country," Union finance minister Arun Jaitley said while inaugurating the academy on Saturday.
In his address at Kamla Club, Jaitley said that academies had big role in the development of the game and they were producing fine cricketers.National Cricket Academy in Banglore is the best example. Expressing his gratitude to the Singhania family, the minister said that they had played a big role in the development of game in the state.
"Many cricketers are playing in towns and districts and for states but only a few of them could attain the national status. The game's development is fast in those areas where academies are functioning," he said.
"Cricket is the only game, which is self-sufficient and working effectively without seeking government help. We are giving pension to retired cricketers, scorers and umpires. No other game had taken such steps for its current and former players. Moreover, the game is generating revenue for the country," Jaitley added.
Jaitley, the former president of DDCA, said that cricket is expanding speedily in the country and talented players are getting opportunity to play IPL, even without playing for the country. "IPL is a golden opportunity for them as they get chance to play with top cricketers of the world and after good performance they can get a chance in the national team," Jaitley said.
Jaitley advised to nurture talent in other games too. In Australia, every person plays at least one game. "We too could excel in about one dozen games in which India could win medals and they are hockey, badminton, tennis, wrestling and boxing etc. Our players are performing well in these games," he commented.
Earlier, Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Rajeev Shukla praised Jaitley for his efforts in the development of cricket. "In BCCI he is known as 'Bhishm Pitamah of cricket. Details of almost every upcoming player of the country were on his tips," Shukla said.
Shukla also praised Singhania family and thanked UPCA president Yadupati Singhania for giving an infrastructure to UPCA.
UP captain Suresh Raina, Praveen Kumar, former captain Mohd Kaif, Gyanendra Pandey and many women Test cricketers were present on the occasion.