Dhoni to set up cricket academy in Dubai

News Network

August 17, 2017

Mumbai, Aug 17: MS Dhoni, India’s World Cup winning captain, has announced that he’ll be setting up a coaching academy in the Dubai Pacific Sports Club (PSC) in the UAE, as reported by Gulf News.

Dhoni, who will be joining the Indian team in Sri Lanka for the five-ODI series starting August 17, spoke on his partnership with the club.

“Sport has attained a global stature not just for fostering athleticism and sportsmanship, but also as a viable business platform that involves many different stakeholders, from small businesses to big conglomerates and organisations. I am delighted to be a part of the club and will contribute in any means possible to make it a success,” said MS Dhoni.

MS Dhoni will join other Indian stars such as Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag -- who have already set-up cricket academies in their name.

Announcing the tie up with the former India captain, Parvez Khan of Pacific Ventures declared the academy would be named -- MS Dhoni Cricket Academy (MSDCA).

“Pacific Sports Club is excited about its association with MS Dhoni, a superstar in the field of cricket. PSC has all exclusive rights to MS Dhoni Cricket Academy (MSDCA), not just in the UAE but other GCC countries, South Africa and the UK. Dhoni will be the brand ambassador for the academy and will be hands-on at the PSC with frequent visits. What makes this venture exciting is that this is for the first time ever that the cricketer is launching his academy and he chose Dubai for the launch of his new venture,” said Khan who was also the owner of the Capricorn Commanders, a team that competed in the Masters Champions League.

PSC chose to publicise their association with Dhoni on August 15 as India celebrated 70 years of Independence. MS Dhoni will travel to Dubai next month to get the academy based in Springdales School, Al Khail up and running.

“We will offer a high-level plus coaching and training as well as a strategic sports development programmes managed by some of our well-known and beloved sports personalities,” added Khan who will partner with schools and colleges in the UAE with a view of expanding in other GCC countries, South Africa and the UK.

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From Representation to Rivalry: The Sorry State of Muslim Leadership in Karnataka Congress

coastaldigest.com news network

January 19,2026

Bengaluru: As the dust settles on the recent legislative session, the corridors of Vidhana Soudha are buzzing with more than just policy talk. A high-stakes game of political musical chairs has begun, exposing a deepening rift within the Congress party’s Muslim leadership as a major Cabinet reshuffle looms.

With the party hierarchy signaling a "50% refresh" to gear up for the 2028 Assembly elections, the race to fill three projected Muslim ministerial berths has transformed from a strategic discussion into an all-out turf war.

The "Star Son" Spark

The internal friction turned public this week following provocative remarks by Zaid Khan, actor and son of Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan. Zaid’s claim—that his father "helped" secure a ticket for Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad in 2023—has acted as a lightning rod for resentment.

Rizwan’s camp was quick to fire back, dismissing the comment as a desperate attempt by Zameer to manufacture seniority. "Rizwan’s political pedigree was forged in the NSUI and Youth Congress long before Zameer even stepped into the party," a supporter noted, highlighting Rizwan’s tenure as an AICC secretary and his two-term presidency of the State Youth Congress.

A Tale of Two Loyalists

While both Zameer Ahmed Khan and Rizwan Arshad are staunch allies of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and represent Bengaluru strongholds, their political DNA could not be more different:

• Zameer Ahmed Khan: A four-time MLA who crossed over from JD(S) in 2018. Known for his "overzealous" and often polarizing outreach during communal flashpoints—from the DJ Halli riots to the recent Wakf land notice controversy—his style has frequently left the Congress high command in a state of "discomfort."

• Rizwan Arshad: A homegrown organizational man. Seen as a "quiet performer," Arshad represents the sophisticated, moderate face of the party, preferred by those who find Zameer’s brand of politics too volatile.

The Outsiders Looking In

The bickering isn't limited to a duo. The "Beary" community, represented by leaders like N A Haris and Saleem Ahmed, is demanding its pound of flesh. Saleem Ahmed, the Chief Whip in the Legislative Council, has dropped the veil of diplomacy, openly declaring his ministerial aspirations.

"I was the only working president not included in the Cabinet last time," Saleem noted pointedly, signaling that the "loyalty quota" is no longer enough to keep the peace.

As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah prepares to finalize the list, he faces a delicate balancing act: rewarding the aggressive grassroots mobilization of Zameer’s camp without alienating the organizational stalwarts and minority sub-sects who feel increasingly sidelined by the "Chamarajpet-Shivajinagar" binary.

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