Sourav Ganguly’s school in New Town will be operational from April, the former India cricket captain said on Wednesday.

The Sourav Ganguly International School will offer pre-school to college level education, Ganguly said. “I am setting up a private school a stone’s throw from this auditorium.”

Ganguly was speaking at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town as part of the three-day annual conference of the Association of Schools.

In 2014, the state government had allotted him a two-acre plot for the school.

During the Left Front rule, the former cricketer had failed to set up a school in Salt Lake following objections from residents.

The present plot in New Town has been given on lease to Ganguly for 99 years.

He was addressing the gathering of principals of various schools.

He said St Xavier’s school and college had a huge influence on his career and was one of the reasons why he decided to set up a school.

“My school has always been very close to my heart. I can say with conviction that my school had a huge influence on shaping me,” he said.

But he was worried with the pressure young students have to face in the present education system, he said. “It is getting tougher with time. I can see the pressure on my daughter. The schoolbag she carries is heavier than what it should be at her age.”

He said he was fortunate his school was spacious and had enough sporting facilities. But several institutions are now unable to offer proper facilities for sports for want of space.

He urged the principals to take proper care to identify “passionate” talents in sports and help interested students with proper guidance and facilities.

“There is so much pressure on every student. How does a student who goes to school five days a week find time to practise sports,” he asked . “After school students go for private tuitions. They return home and sit down to study.”

His advice to principals was to identify students who have a sports acumen, be it football, cricket or gymnastics. They should be asked to keep three days in a week for studies and the rest for sports, he said.

“It is extremely important to balance education with sports in school. Principals and teachers can guide the students according to their talent. But what is most important is time management,” he said.

Lost and found

A woman who lost her purse at Kalighat Metro station got it back within a few hours on Monday. An RPF jawan spotted it. She was contacted on a number on an ID card found in the purse.