Taking yet another step forward for its revival, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the picturesque Dharamsala to help the development of budding players and coaches from the subcontinent as well as from a few Associate nations.
The cricket body had actually planned to shut down all its operations but BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur was keen to see it running and now this centre has come at a place under Thakhur-led Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA).
"This will be a significant move in the effort of making the ACC a more dynamic, vibrant and robust body, which will help rapidly promote & develop the sport of cricket in the Asian region," ACC President Sidath Wettimuny said in a release.
"The cricket facility features modern indoor and outdoor training facilities and equipment that will allow coaches and sports staff to enhance the development of International cricketers, assisting them prepare for the demands of international competitions," the ACC press release said.
In October, the ACC had conducted a conference for 49 coaches from 18 countries in Bangladesh.
Thakur has offered BCCI support to this centre and wish to see A teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan and Oman to play a tournament here.
It was Thakur's proposal that the Asian Test playing nations pledge 2 percent of their annual income for the development of the game in associate nations.
Last week, the BCCI had signed an MoU to let Afghanistan use the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, close to Delhi.
