Ntini launches cricket academy

Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, one of South Africa's mostsuccessful cricketers, has launched his own academy to help develop marginalisedand disadvantaged young boys in the game. The Makhaya Ntini CricketAcademy will come up in the paceman's home province of Eastern Cape.Speaking after the launch in Johannesburg, Ntini said he wanted togive something back to young boys who were keen on playing cricket for thecountry. "When you've played cricket for such a long time and peopleappreciate what you have done, this kind of thing means a lot. When you talkabout legacy, it's something that you give back to the kids, to South Africa asa whole," he said. The academy is expected to cost about $400,000 tobuild and construction was expected to be completed by 2009. Ntinihas already received a kick-start donation of $62,500 from a major insurancecompany and hopes to receive the support of other national cricketers from hisprovince, such as Mark Boucher. "The academy will attempt to addresspoverty, social inequalities and lack of infrastructure in the Eastern Cape,"said Ntini, who will soon turn out for the Chennai Super Kings in the IndianPremier League.