Following public outcry and media attention, CricKingdom by Rohit Sharma has refunded around 30 Dubai-based parents who had prepaid for training at the now-closed Grasport academy. These repayments come weeks after Khaleej Times spotlighted the issue, prompting fresh hope among other parents still seeking reimbursement.
Pratap Kumar, who organized a parents’ group, thanked CricKingdom CEO Chetan Suryawanshi for stepping in, noting that the root cause stemmed from their former franchise partner, Grasport Sports Academy. Parent Inderjit Singh said the company only responded after media coverage, highlighting delays due to ongoing company setup in the UAE.
CricKingdom’s leadership assured that steps were taken to resolve concerns, with families expressing gratitude for the brand’s efforts. Parent Jigar Bhuptani appreciated the company for honoring refund commitments and credited Khaleej Times for playing a key role.
However, unpaid coaches remain a concern. Despite parents being compensated, several coaches, including former Sri Lankan player Chamani Seneviratne, are still awaiting salaries. They allege repeated false promises from Grasport and now look to CricKingdom for support. Serbian and Sri Lankan coaches have also raised concerns over financial strain.
CricKingdom acknowledged the salary issue and stated it is reviewing grievances, despite the legal responsibility lying with the franchise. CEO Suryawanshi affirmed that coaches are essential and deserve fair treatment.
Looking ahead, CricKingdom plans to open a fully managed academy in Dubai, shifting away from its previous franchise model for tighter quality control and stronger accountability.