Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has opened Da One Sports’ first Residential Elite Cricket Academy in Pathankot. The academy, which has been established at Sandeepni Gurukul, aims to give young cricketers with a structured atmosphere that mixes high-quality cricket training with formal education.
Da One Sports, founded by Dhawan, aims to provide long-term growth opportunities for young athletes rather than short-term training facilities. The residential academy’s launch objective is to provide a holistic approach that combines expert coaching, academics, and residential facilities under one roof. Located in Pathankot, the academy aims to tap into the region’s often-overlooked talent pool while also ensuring students’ academic stability.
The Residential Elite Cricket Academy was created as a long-term development initiative for young players. The facility will provide professional coaching, structured academic support, and a safe living environment for students to train.
Shikhar Dhawan announced the project, emphasising the significance of education in addition to sports.
“I have always believed that for a child’s overall growth, education and sport must go hand in hand. With our residential elite cricket academy at Sandeepni Gurukul, we are creating a structured and secure environment where young players can dream big, train professionally, and grow with confidence. If this platform can help create even one future India player or the next Shikhar Dhawan, it will be a proud moment for all of us. More importantly, I hope this initiative inspires many more kids to pick up sports and believe in themselves,” he said in a statement.
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Furthermore, Anshita Gupta, Group CEO of Da One Sports, said the academy is the foundation of the organisation’s philosophy.
“This residential academy reflects the very foundation of Da One, building pathways, not just facilities. We aim to create an environment where education and high-performance sport coexist seamlessly. Sandeepni Gurukul and Pathankot gives us access to an untapped talent base and the opportunity to offer a structured, trusted ecosystem for young athletes. We firmly believe that education and sport, when nurtured together, can unlock extraordinary potential,” she said.
Founder Chairman of Sandeepni Gurukul, Sahil Mahajan, opened up about the significance of the collaboration.
“We aspire to build the biggest cricket centre in Pathankot, where students from across the region can come to train at a professional level while managing their studies seamlessly. As an educational institution, our focus has always been on offering the best of both sports and academics, and this partnership with Da One Sports further strengthens that belief,” he quipped.
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