Indian captain Sourav Ganguly's request for utilising the cricket complex developed by the Railways in Kolkata for starting an academy got the sanction from Railway Minister Nitish Kumar.
The Minister himself revealed this while replying to the discussion on the Interim Railway Budget 2004-05.
"I have accepted the request. Permission will be granted. We will decide the terms and conditions. Railways is always in the vanguard of promoting sports," Kumar said.
The assurance from the Railway Minister came soon after Trinamool Congress member Sudip Bandhopadhyay made a strong plea in this regard to the minister, saying this should be treated as a reward for the good show in Australia.
Speaker Manohar Joshi, who himself is associated with cricket administration, endorsed Bandhopadhyay plea saying that the minister should sympathetically consider the request.
In the letter, Ganguly has said for the development of cricket, a private limited company '22 Yards Sports' has been formed of which he was the Chairman-designate.
"The main objective of the company is to impart scientific and proper coaching for budding cricketers of different age groups starting from 9-10 years with the hope of producing quality cricketers who would be able to play for the country in future," the letter said.
