Chaminda Vaas aims to develop youngsters' potential

Dubai - Former Lankan pacer to coach aspiring players in UAE

Chaminda Vaas hopes to unearth the undoubted potential of budding cricketers here in the UAE after being unveiled as the brand ambassador and full-time head coach of his self-titled academy on Thursday.
The former Sri Lanka fast bowler is set to be the driving force and face of Vaas's Victoria Cricket Academy (VCA) when the Sharjah-based venue is officially inaugurated on Friday, December 4.
Vaas believes there is a wealth of talented youngsters in the country and sees his new role as an opportunity to help them maximise their skills and realise their dreams.
"The passion for cricket here is a joy to behold," the 41-year-old said at the VCA's launch ceremony at the Four Point by Sheraton in Bur Dubai on Thursday. "I've seen many talents in this country and there are lots of Indians, Pakistanis and Sri Lankans living over here in Dubai.
"I've seen many young, talented cricketers, so I felt like I can get something from them and that's why I got onboard.
"I want to develop their skills and educate them in order to get the best out of them when they're playing the number one sport of cricket and to go on and play for their home nation one day."
Lessons for cricketers aged six to 19 will run throughout next month for free in two batches (Thursday & Saturday: 3:30pm-5:30pm & Friday & Saturday: 8am-10am), while monthly subscription fees will initially start at Dh400 once the VCA is fully operational.
The opportunity to be schooled by an acclaimed quickie such as Vaas is sure to be an exciting prospect for impressionable kids and teenagers in attendance and the man himself is equally as enthusiastic about this new coaching venture.
"I'm very happy to be a part of Victoria Cricket Academy," Vaas added. "Victoria Cricket Academy is the UAE's most innovative, indoor and outdoor cricket centre.
"Using high-level coaching standards and incorporating cricket technology, it is the perfect environment to learn the game of cricket from beginners right through to the highest standard of cricketers.
"Victoria Cricket Academy is here to help everyone improve their game, as well as develop them as better human beings and even better cricketers.
"I'm very excited to start on this journey as a head coach with Victoria Cricket Academy and I encourage everyone to enroll their children into the VCA. UAE national team coach Aaqib Javed and the respective secretaries of the Dubai Cricket Council (DCC) and the Sharjah Cricket Council (SCC), Ameen Farooqi and Mazhar Khan, were slated to appear at the event yet were notable absentees.
For further information about Vaas's Victoria Cricket Academy, mail: Victoria Sports Services, Al Shamsi Shopping Complex, Al Gurair Rolla, Sharjah, PO Box 78865 or telephone: 0559986464.