England all-rounder cricket star- Andrew Flintoff has announced to open a new cricket academy in Dubai as the city is extremely fit for producing players due to availability of wide range of facilities to groom the players.

The renowned cricket player, undergoing knee treatment in the city, hailed the passion of Dubai's residents toward cricket that led him to conceive the idea of opening academy.

The 32-year-old Flintoff expressed, "I will soon be setting up a cricket academy here. I am impressed with the enthusiasm for the game here."

The British batsman, who recently said good bye to Test Cricket, said that a large number of sports events being held in the city indicate that the city well suitable for all types of sports events. He hoped that the Dubai will soon scale new heights of growth in sports as it has done in the real estate sector.

Flintoff, meanwhile, declined to comment over alleged ball-tampering issue involving Pakistan player Shahid Afridi during the Australian tour.