New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS): Sixteen under-privileged Indian students, passionate about cricket, will soon get an opportunity to hone their skills in the game, courtesy scholarships from New Zealand.

New Zealand's Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Global Sports Summit here Wednesday and the 14-week course in certificate in sports training and development will begin in December.

"The scholarship aims to train young players and help improve the upcoming cricketing talent in India. The selected students will pursue the programme in India and then visit New Zealand," said SIT chief executive Penelope Simmonds.

"The programme will have a strong focus on sport psychology, nutrition and exercise prescription and finding out ways to make the human body stronger, fitter and faster," said SIT in a statement.

Sponsored by the John Wright-SIT scholarship programme, the candidates after successfully completing the course online will head to New Zealand for a three-week training.

"Sports is a growing industry in India and we have witnessed some great talent emerging from the country. This course is a bridge between one's interest and an opportunity to work towards a good likelihood," said Education New Zealand's regional director south Asia Ziena Jalil.