The East Zone wing of the National Cricket Academy run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has started functioning in Kolkata. The camp is being conducted by the former Test opener Arun Lal. Assisting him are Barun Burman from Bengal, Randhir Singh of Bihar and Jimut Mohanty of Orissa. However, the highlight of the Academy is the participation of Dr. Vece Paes, who incidentally is the father of India's tennis star Leander Paes.

The Cricket Association of Bengal initially had objected to the appointment of Dr Paes in the Academy. He is performing the role of a physical trainer. Initially, the CAB had planned to appoint some former cricketer of the state to perform the role. It was at Arun Lal's insistence that the CAB was forced to accept Dr. Paes. Giving the reasons for his choice, Lal said on Wednesday, "To me he is the best man in the country as far as Sports Medicine is concerned. He can really work wonders with young kids.

Being a former Olympian himself, he can understand the psychology of a sports person better than anyone else. That is why, I have brought him to the Academy." Lal said that the camp will continue for two months and the emphasis will be on fitness. "I want to increase the physical ability, endurance and fitness of the cricketers in the Academy to the highest level." The cricketers are going through their practice drills in two sessions. The morning session consists of physical exercise, swimming and fielding drills. The afternoon session is restricted to only fielding and batting." The former Test opener who had earlier coached the senior Bengal team felt that it was easier to coach youngsters. "They listen to your advice. The seniors come as a much more hardened lot. They are not willing to change."

The Academy is being run in the same manner that Rodney Marsh runs the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy in Adelaide. Bowlers have been asked to bowl a maximum of 40 deliveries per day. The cricketers have also been given a file where they have been asked to write a daily report on their performance.

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