Venky’s to gift Pune a football academy

Venkateshwara Hatcheries (VH) Group, owners of English Premier League (EPL) team, Blackburn Rovers Football Club, have given Puneites another reason to cheer: they plan to set up a state-of-the-art football academy in the city.

The academy is likely to come up in a year’s time. Former India skipper, Baichung Bhutia, will be at the helm of affairs in the academy with the support of foreign coaches who will run the academy.

“We will have the best football academy in the country and it will be in Pune for sure,”  Anuradha Desai, chairperson of VH Group, told DNA on Tuesday. The name of the academy will be revealed later.

Desai, who ruled out Indians in the support team of Blackburn Rovers, said: “We are likely to rope in Baichung Bhutia as chief selector and some assistance will be taken from an Englishman to run the academy.”

She said, “If India can produce a Tendulkar in cricket, why not a Beckham or a Rooney?” VH Group has been associated with sports and has many sportspersons as ambassadors, including
boxer Vijender Singh.

On the departure of Blackburn Rovers team manager, Sam Allardyce, and his deputy, Neil McDonald, Desai said they were looking for a former EPL player. The name will be finalised in 10 days.

“We are looking for a local (Englishman) who had played in the EPL. Steve Kean, who has taken over as manager with immediate
effect, is good,” she added.