Less popular sports picked for academy

NEW DELHI: All those inspired from the ongoing World Cup to pick up bat and ball will have a new academy to hone their skills. Two new sports academies are coming up in Dwarka-spread over a combined space of over 40 acres-in sectors 8 and 19.
Good news is also in store for enthusiasts of wrestling, boxing and weightlifting, all sports which have limited followers and facilities. Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has recently approved a proposal to develop sports facilities in Dwarka into full-fledged academies.
These academies will have full-time instructors and classrooms for theoretical workshops.
The two new academies will also provide accommodation to trainers and trainees. There will be hostels, kitchens, dining halls and common rooms as well as integrated infrastructure for conferences and bigger workshops.
The Authority is looking to hire a consultant to advise them on viable financial models based on which funds will be generated for the project.
"For some time, we have been working on the idea of providing big, spacious facilities not only for popular sports like cricket and football but also less-followed ones like boxing and weightlifting. We will now look for participants from over the world to work with us in developing these academies," DDA vice-chairperson Balvinder Kumar said.
Of the two academies that are coming up in Dwarka's sectors 8 and 19, one will be used exclusively for training in indoor sports like weightlifting and boxing, while the other complex will be used for cricket and football.
Officials say that training for allied sports like swimming and athletics will also be provided here. "We will offer training and infrastructure for swimming and athletics as well as conduct minor tournaments," a senior official said.
DDA already runs academies for swimming, football and athletics in the capital. Besides these two academies, a sports complex is also being developed at Dwarka's Sector 17 and a football stadium in Sector 19.