Indian ODI captain Rohit Sharma with the trophy. Photo: X
Dubai: CricKingdom – a cricket academy by Rohit Sharma, promoted by Team India’s ODI captain Rohit Sharma, is set to resume operations at its Dubai centre in September 2025 under new management.
The announcement comes after months of uncertainty, speculation, and reports suggesting a possible closure, especially following the suspension of training sessions in May 2025 due to financial difficulties involving its former franchise partner, Grasport Sports Academy.
The academy began its operations in September 2024 at three GEMS Education schools—Metropole, Winchester, and New Millennium—attracting over 35 families with the promise of expert coaching under Rohit Sharma’s brand.
Khaleej Times reports revealed that several coaches, including Tiran Sandun Wijesuriya, Chamani Seneviratne, and Ayo Mene Ejegi, had not been paid for several months.
Parents, who had paid in advance for coaching sessions that were later suspended, reported financial losses and filed complaints with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DED), citing a lack of refunds and poor communication.
After training was halted, Grasport stopped responding, leaving families without clarity on payments or accountability. Its trade licence and bank accounts have reportedly been frozen pending investigation.
In its statement, CricKingdom confirmed it has terminated the franchise agreement and is now in the process of setting up its own legal entity in the UAE to directly oversee operations.
The company pledged to provide certified coaches, upgraded infrastructure, and improved transparency. Staff affected by the closure have been offered interim roles in India.
Dubai continues to attract sports academies linked to Indian and international athletes. These include:
These institutions provide world-class training in cricket, football, tennis, and more.
This post was last modified on July 11, 2025 10:09 pm