Sehwag builds school on land for cricket academy

Setting up of an international school by dashing Indian opener Virender Sehwag has prompted angry response from the villagers who wanted a cricket academy instead.

Villagers of Silani Kesho village in Jhajjar district resented at the non-starting of a cricket academy by Sehwag and lamented that "commercial interests" have taken precedence over sport.

"Sehwag has made his school functional, about which there was no mention in the agreement (signed with the villagers). We had given land for the academy, which remains a non-starter," a village resident said.

Sehwag's Krishna Drishti Educational Society was given over 23 acres of land in the village in October 2008 on a 33-year lease for a sports complex and a school at Rs 3 lakh per acre.

The Sehwag International School started functioning last year and has an intake of over 320 students, with classes from nursery to Class VII.

"The school is charging hefty fees and minting money. Where is the question of benefit to the budding sports talent?" the villager asked.

Deputy Commissioner Chander Prakash, however, said the agreement signed with the villagers clearly mentioned that apart from the academy, a school will also be opened.

Sehwag was not available for his comments.