The academy in Jamshedpur. Pix: Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Jan. 14: The paths of budding cricketers have been illuminated in the steel city.

Thanks to the efforts of Randhir Singh, a former medium-pacer who has represented India in two ODIs in the 80s, Jamshedpur boasts of a full-fledged, flood light-lit cricket training centre.

The facility was inaugurated yesterday at the Recreation Club in Baridih.

The training centre, called Cricket Academy, has eight turf pitches and two concrete ones. Fifteen 1,000-watt lights illuminate the ground. The centre also boasts of a dressing room, washroom and toilets. Singh will be the chief coach and four coaches will assist him. Out of the three training sessions at the academy, one will be in the evening, under the lights.

“The idea behind the centre is to provide an opportunity to those who have problems training during the day. There are several youngsters who are unable to train during the day because of studies,” said Singh.

The coach said the academy would try to produce “quality cricketers who can go on to represent the country.” Singh, a former Ranji coach, said there are over 90 trainees at the centre, including 20 from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Patna. “We are trying to find sponsors to take care of their accommodation,” he added.

At the inaugural ceremony, the chief coach thanked Tata Steel (Tubes Division) for supporting the project. Executive in-charge of the division Vivek Kamra and Jusco managing director Sanjiv Paul were present on the occasion.