127 players from Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar selected for annual camp

Mysuru: In a boost for budding cricketers in Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Mysuru Zone inaugurated its much-awaited Annual Academy – Summer Camp 2026-27 for Boys U-14, U-16 and U-19 and Girls U-15 and U-19 at the SDNR Wadiyar Stadium, Manasagangothri, here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, former International Cricketer and KSCA Managing Committee Member Kalpana Venkatachar, said, “The aim of the Academy is to build character and help players to understand life skills going through the situation of winning and losing.”

“With the blend of cricket and education, we need to find the balance and for the same purpose KSCA has started the Academy. A few hours of good cricket every day helps improving metabolism and refresh mental condition,” Kalpana Venkatachar added.

Former Indian Cricketer and KSCA Managing Committee Member Avinash Vaidya, said, “The Academy will have inputs from experienced first class cricketers who will visit and share their knowledge with the players on a regular basis. We have expert physical trainers, strength and conditioning coaches and performance analysts who have worked with first class cricketers and IPL franchisees who will help the cricketers here to understand mental and physical strength.”

Selections to the Academy were conducted in Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru. A total of 30 matches were played to select 25 players in each category. The Academy will be held at SDNR Wadiyar Stadium and JSS KSCA (SJCE) Grounds.

KSCA has appointed Vinod M. Krishna as head coach for U-16 and U-19 boys, Rakshita Krishnappa as head coach for U-15 and U-19 girls, K.V. Siddharth as assistant coach for U-16 and U-19 boys, Abhijith Singh as coach for U-14 boys, Cheluvaraju, S. Dhananjaya and Hemanth Kumar as assistant coaches. R. Mala will be the performance analyst, B. Hithaishi as strength and conditioning coach and Dr. Hrunda Gadkar as physiotherapist.

KSCA Special Invitee A.V. Shashidhara, Mysuru Zone Co-ordinator N. Girish, KSCA Mysuru Zone Chairman T. Ravindra and Mysuru Zone Convenor P. Srinivas Prasad were present on the occasion.