Kambli to head Khel Bharti Sports Academy

Vinod Kambli has ambitious plans for his second innings. The former India cricketer, who joined a not-so-popular political party Lok Bharti on Wednesday, will head the Khel Bharti Sports Academy.

"There is a lot of talent in small towns and villages, but they don't have access to the required facilities. We will scout talent at grassroot level and give them all the facilities and training required at our sports academy. We'll give them proper guidance and all the support to make them a national treasure," Kambli said.

Kambli's academy will not only focus on cricket. "It will be a multi-disciplinary academy. We will have as many sports as possible. There will be experts from different fields as well," he said.

Kambli hasn't finalised any place as yet for the academy. "We have a couple of places in mind. But we will finalise one very soon."

He also promised to venture into other states apart from Maharashtra, but at a latter stage. "Let me first do it properly in Maharashtra. We will then think of other states."

Kambli and Co will organise talent hunt programmes to explore talents. "My aim will be to produce international players. And I am confident that we will succeed in it," he signed off.