Having played Test and One day International cricket for Pakistan for a number of years with distinction and having also had the honor of leading the national team, I have decided to payback to the game in which I excel for the respect, honor and dignity I was given during my years as a Pakistan player

Though they are a number of cricket academies being run in the city, they are purely done on a commercial basis and on a haphazard basis. I with the help of some friends and well wishers have launched my cricket academy since February 2000 for the purpose of coaching young cricketers.

The response to the academy has been overwhelming not only from Karachi but also other parts of Pakistan, while the media has also shown interest in the project by highlighting it a number of times. So far my aim has been to invite only such players to the academy who have already played first class cricket and are seen as potential Pakistan players or have not been able to establish themselves in the national team despite being given few opportunities.

The idea being not to impart to them basic cricket coaching but to pass on my knowledge of international cricket to them so that they can only improve their already satisfactory cricket skills and be able to bridge the big gap which is present between our domestic and International cricket. So far I have tried to point out any basic flaws in their techniques and also lectured them on what level of fitness is required to play for Pakistan and what they should expect at the top level, if they are to become regular Pakistan team members.

It has been satisfying to note that mentally the boys in the academy have so far picked up a lot on the requirements to be a good top player and how they can successfully graduate from domestic to international cricket, which is obviously the biggest problem facing our talented youngsters these days. After having practically managed the academy training sessions for over a month, I have come to the conclusion that what we lack in Pakistan is a cricket academy on permanent lines or rather a finishing school for future Pakistan players.

What I intend to do is to set up a finishing school or permanent academy in the city by renting a residential or commercial bungalow, with adequate space to set up classrooms for imparting theoretical knowledge to the cricketers but also to provide them with comfortable boarding and lodging facilities.

The concept is that after every domestic season, twenty to twenty five professional players would be selected from amongst different first class and club teams with particular stress on all Pakistan based players. They would then be admitted to the finishing school for a period of three to four months free of cost, where they would be provided boarding and lodging facilities and also a weekly stipend so that they can concentrate completely on the learning about the game and improving their cricketing skills.

The eventual aim would be to have a proper and permanent panel of coaches and other experts in the fields of fitness and diet who can personally supervise the three to four months course of the selected players.

Audio and Visual equipment would be provided at the finishing school to ensure that the selected players are not only taught about cricket techniques and planning itself but also about basic etiquette's and the different cultures they should expect abroad while playing for Pakistan teams.

The selected boys would be also provided opportunities to play club cricket abroad. While the plan to set up a finishing school is a difficult one but it is not impossible and I think I can manage to achieve this with your help. Eventually and hopefully I will also succeed in getting a proper ground on lease from the provincial and local government, which can be prepared, and then permanently be used by the academy and finishing school participants.

For this purpose I have already got in touch with relevant authorities. A contract is being signed with the UBL complex management for a term of six months to use their practice wickets four times a week. We are paying UBL authorities to use their wickets. RLCA has selected players for Under-15 and Under-17 on open trial basis. There are 35 players for Under-15 and 35 players for Under-17. RLCA is trying to groom these selected players by intense training. RLCA is also developing and grooming the skills of Professional players. The training session continues three days a week. RLCA has created three groups of Under-15, Under-17 and professional players. Under-19 players get training with professional players. Each group consists of 25 players.

While I am willing to give my time and expertise for the project, it cannot be successfully accomplished without your kind support by way of sponsorship, advertising and help. And I am confident you will be extending all support towards making Karachi a nursery of cricket talent once again. I would like you to kindly grant me time to further explain my academy and finishing school projects and convince you to contribute in any manner possible. Please keep in mind that the academy and finishing school are going to be permanent features and not just a one-off thing.

Regards,

Rashid Latif