Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh is set to receive India’s first women academy cricket academy in Shivpuri district for which a talent search programme for picking up players for it will begin from Monday, an official said.

“This is going to be the 11th sports academy in the state. Academies for athletics, shooting, horse riding, water sports, martial arts, men’s hockey, women’s hockey, badminton, archery and men’s cricket are already running in Madhya Pradesh,” the official said.

The talent search programme for the players in the academy would see a score of aspirants between 14 to 21 years. Players from all the districts of Indore and Ujjain divisions are free to take part in the exercise, a government statement added.

The first talent search exercise will be held in Indore on  February 28 and March 1 while the second would be conducted in the state capital on March 2 and 3 for the districts of Bhopal, Narmadapuram and Sagar divisions.

Districts like Jabalpur would host the event on March 4 and 5, while for the districts of Gwalior and Chambal division the exercise will be held in Shivpuri on March 7 and 8.

The state sports department has announced to provide free education, accommodation, food, and training kits for those selected.