Robin Singh hopes to produce top cricketers for UAE

Former India all-rounder Robin Singh hopes to produce cricketers for the UAE through his newly-launched Robin Singh Sports Academy in Dubai.

Robin, currently the Mumbai Indians batting coach in the IPL and formerly the Indian fielding coach, spread his wings to the UAE and Dubai, with the launch of the Academy, and said that it was their responsibility to polish those uncut diamonds.

"It has been one of my dreams to set up something on the coaching front in Dubai. I saw a void in this part of the world. Here, you have people from all walks of life and it is a multi-cultural existence. This academy will be an opportunity for kids to enhance their skills and an opportunity to pursue their passion. There is a pathway now and I want to show them the way. One of our main goals is to produce cricketers for the UAE," Robin Singh said on Wednesday.

"We have set our standards what we want to do in year one, year two and so on. It is not a flash in the pan approach. By the time they come out of the academy, we want to make sure we drive them towards playing for the UAE. We want to make sure we have X number playing for the UAE National team, whether it is Under-19 or Under-16. It is our responsibility to try and drive that forward," he added.

Unlike visiting coaches and cricketers who just lend their name, it will be a hands-on approach from Robin, with him being based in Dubai, except for that brief period when he is back in India for his IPL stint. Robin is the CEO with the academy coming under the umbrella of Zenith Sports Academy LLC, a newly established sports management company also managed by him.

"I'm going to be based here. Usually, people come and go but this is going to be my second home. We have engaged with quite a few schools already and are collaborating with more schools, as we speak. We will have our own centre of excellence in the future and we will have our own set up in Dubai and Sharjah," Robin said.

"There won't be any specific age group. The idea is to get any kid who is interested in the sport. He can come here and he will be looked at. And it is not just for the boys. The academy is open to girls and that is one area we would like to focus on. Later on, we will expand to other sports," he revealed.

He will bring in international level coaches from India, West Indies, South Africa and other countries to join his team of coaches. The coaching team will also be supported by data analysts, physiotherapists and physical fitness trainers.

Source: Khaleej Times