Irfan, Yusuf Pathan Launch Cricket Academy

Indian cricketers Yusuf and Irfan Pathan Thursday launched their dream venture, Cricket Academy of Pathans, which will start functioning from next month-end in their home town Baroda.

The brothers said that they have about five to seven years of active cricket still left in them. (Yusuf Pathan Raring to Play in World Cup 2015)

"This has been our vision for a long time and we wanted to give something back to the game. We wanted to do something different and this academy will have two modules.

"The course will be for a duration of eight to nine weeks after which the child can try for the advanced course.

"We will go to schools which have infrastructure and set up over there. It is not stationary and we will keep having these courses throughout the year," Irfan told reporters.

Irfan added that they have already identified a few schools and have been planning for it over the last six to seven months.

They plan to take the academy to three other cities by early next year and aim to have 50 academies across the country by the end of next year. They have tied up with former India coach Greg Chappell and Cameron Tradell as chief mentors.

Chappell will train the coaches of the academy. Interestingly, it was Chappell who promoted Irfan as an all-rounder during his two-year stint from 2005 and when that was pointed out the younger Pathan said, "This is a media perspective. I think differently. We had identified two or three coaches. I have played with Greg and I know how well he can share his knowledge with the kids. So we decided to venture with him."

The fees for one coaching course would be about Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 and the academy will be affiliated with the state associations.

"We will offer the best practice that is required for an aspiring cricketer," Yusuf said.

The academy will also focus on nutrition, psychology and physical developments of the kids.