A STRONG sporting infrastructure at grassroot level often results in producing great sportspersons. Following that vision, reputed cricket coach and former Mumbai Ranji Trophy stalwart Sulakshan Kulkarni has tied hands with Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College Of Engineering, Shegaon Maharashtra to promote grassroot cricket in India by coming up with a state of the art SSGMCE-Sulakshan Kulkarni Cricket Academy. Prashant Vaidya, former India cricketer and former Vice-President of Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) graced the event as chief guest during the inauguration. Vaidya motivated the young students present at the academy. Kulkarni has been the brainchild behind this initiative and he was strongly supported by Shrikant Patil, Chairman of Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College Of Engineering. The initiative of coming up with SSGMCE-SKCA cricket academy seemed like a natural progression considering Kulkarni shares a great relation with Patil since many years.

 

Kulkarni who has represented as many as five states including Vidarbha in a domestic career spanning almost two decades has also had an equally decorated career as a cricket coach working with numerous domestic teams making him one of the prolific cricket coaches in India. The cricket academy consists of a state of the art cricket ground (80 yards boundary) amidst a beautiful green outfield and serene atmosphere. The ground also consists of true bouncy wickets resulting in great cricket training for the players. The academy also boasts of gym and accommodation facilities to ensure residential as well as non-residential students are trained in the best possible environment. Apart from that, the academy consists of highly qualified cricket coaches who will be assisting Kulkarni.