Famed coach Ramakant Achrekar inaugurated the Omtex Cricket Academy, Matunga, on Tuesday. Present on the occasion were internationals Ajit Agarkar, Pravin Amre, Lalchand Rajput and Mumbai Ranji players Atul Ranade, Sanjay Patil and Kiran Pawar. The academy, which will have Deepak Khanolkar as executive director, has Kenia Jayantilal as chief coach and Anil Joshi as coach. The academy has also several other experts. They are: Dr Kinjal Suratwala (sports science consultant), Gurdeep (body development trainer), Ms Shamim Siddique (sports nutrionist) and Meena Iyer (personality development trainer).

A bi-weekly computerised assesment will be made of the progress of the trainees, who will also have the benefit of video and books to hone their knowledge. The academy will have two batches: 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. To lessen the commuting burden of the trainees, the academy has engage the services of pick-up service for the traines.

IIT swim gala

IndianInstitute of Technology, Powai will conduct their annual 14th IIT Open State Level Swimming Gala on February 27 and 28. Entries for various age groups of boys and girls from college and university students are open till Saturday evening. For further details contact Dr Mohan Reddy at 5782545 (Extn 8967, 8968).

Walking races

The Bombay Keraleeya Samaj will conduct 10 kms walking races for various age groups on will be conducted on February 14 at Shivaji Park. The races will get under way at 7.00 am. Entry forms are available at Kerala Bhavanam, 16-A, K A Subramanium Road, Matunga. Last date for entries is February 9.