Manipal : Syed Mohammad Kirmani, former Indian wicketkeeper has said that there were plans to open a cricket academy in Mangalore at the earliest.

Speaking at the programme organized to install the new office bearers of the Udupi District Cricket Association at Manipal on Sunday, he said academies would be opened in five cricketing zones in the state at the earliest.

He said the Association would be holding nearly  33 cricket summer camps in 23 districts during the current cricket year.

Prof. Ratnaker Shetty, Administrative Officer of BCCI, Dr Ramdas M Pai, Chancellor of Manipal University and Honorary President of the Udupi District Cricket Association, Dr Krishnaprasad, its President and Dr Srikanth Rai, DK District Cricket Association President, were present as chief guests.