Durban: Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, one of South Africa's most successful cricketers, has launched his own academy to help develop marginalised and disadvantaged young boys in the game.

The Makhaya Ntini Cricket Academy will come up in the paceman's home province of Eastern Cape.

Speaking after the launch in Johannesburg, Ntini said he wanted to give something back to young boys who were keen on playing cricket for the country.

"When you have played cricket for such a long time and people appreciate what you have done, this kind of thing means a lot. When you talk about legacy, it's something that you give back to the kids, to South Africa as a whole," he said.

The academy is expected to cost about $400,000 to build and construction was expected to be completed by 2009.

Ntini has already received a kick-start donation of $62,500 from a major insurance company and hopes to receive the support of other national cricketers from his province, such as Mark Boucher.

"The academy will attempt to address poverty, social inequalities and lack of infrastructure in the Eastern Cape," said Ntini, who will soon turn out for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
Source : PTI