Unpaid Coaches, Angry Parents: Rohit Sharma's Cricket Academy Faces Backlash amid closure

Sports News: The Rohit Sharma Cricket Academy in Dubai has shut down amid financial instability. The organization, which was once considered a platform for training budding cricketers, has now shut down with immediate effect. The cricket academy was launched by Rohit's brand CricKingdom in September 2024, with the aim of providing young and aspiring cricketers a foundation to train and practice. But as it stands, due to an unfortunate turn of events, the academy is no longer operational due to unstable financial conditions and mismanagement.

35 families paid advance annual fees

With Rohit Sharma as the face of the cricketing platform, the families were quite hopeful that their kids would get to learn from the best coaches. The academy, which involves some of the ICC-certified coaches and former players, was very well promoted during its launch. But now, the families want their money back. Earlier this year, the training sessions became irregular, and there was a lack of communication between the authorities and the families.

Coaches and staff affected

The coaches in the organization have not been paid since the times got tougher. The ICC-certified coaches and staff say that they have not been paid since April or May. The assistant coach, Tiran Sandun Wijesuriya, said, "I have no money to pay my rent. My landlord wants me out. I haven’t received a single dirham since May despite repeated assurances." Former Sri Lankan cricketer Chamani Seneviratne was also seen expressing his frustration, saying, "From the beginning, salary issues were a constant. Sometimes payments were delayed or partial. Since May, there has been nothing."

Parents demand a refund

Many parents have filed complaints through the Consumer Rights Division to Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism. One parent also said that Grasport's trade license and bank accounts have been frozen. Grasport is the company that operated the academy under the franchise agreement with CricKingdom. "We believed in the brand and paid a hefty amount upfront. We trusted the name Rohit Sharma, but now we are left in the dark," said Deep, a parent who enrolled his child last year.

Another parent, Indrajit, added, "All we’ve received are apologies and vague promises. We want accountability, not excuses."