MUMBAI: Dubai Sports City has announced that it will serve as the venue for the International Cricket Council's (ICC) first global cricket academy.

The academy will serve as an international centre of excellence for cricket. It aims at bringing together the skills and facilities to allow cricket players including juniors, coaches, umpires, curators and administrators to develop their abilities.

When finished in 2007 the Academy will have access to a 30 000 seat cricket stadium, three purpose built cricket grounds, indoor and outdoor training facilities, a gym, pool, lecture theatres and classrooms, sports science and sports medicine facilities in place for the use of the Academy.

ICC president, Ehsan Mani, said that the project offered cricket an opportunity to establish a world-class development centre that will be a key element in the ICC's push to develop the game.

"The Global Academy is a very exciting development not only for the ICC but also for cricket globally. Dubai is an ideal location with its ease of access for the cricket playing world and climate offering a perfect setting for this facility. With the facilities that are being put in place, the ICC Global Cricket Academy will be an outstanding resource for the ICC and our 92 members to use to continue the growth of the game," says Mani, as quoted in a company release.

Dubai Sports City partner and Taj Television's owner Abdul Rahman Bukhatir said, "Dubai Sports City is delighted to have the ICC Global Academy as part of our offering. As a brand it fits so well not only with our other world class partners but also with our own vision. Our goal here is to combine the excitement of sports and the innovation of Dubai itself. Dubai Sports City is a place of enduring spirit and passion that will attract people from all over the world."

Dubai Sports City will also have a Manchester United Soccer School, an Ernie Els Signature Golf Course, a David Lloyd Tennis Academy and a Butch Harmon School of Golf, adds release.