Cricket is associated with British colonialism. This uniquely scientific game came to the colonies with the British rulers laying cricket fields, popularizing it among the natives and gradually bringing up the infrastructure. Australia, India, West Indies and South Africa are among prominent former colonies where the game has become enormously popular to the extent that people have almost forgotten that it was not a native game but an imported one. Sports and athletics know neither boundaries nor discrimination on the basis of colour, ethnicity or language. Sport and athletics are much related to ancient Greece as far as its origin is concerned. But it has always been part of human life and activity. Interestingly we the mortals consider the sports as one of the biggest entertainment we have developed. Cricket came to be the prime sport in de-colonized countries. Such has been the interest in the game that cricket developed into a big institution and came to be identified with the excellence and honour of respective countries.
In the days of the Raj, Mumbai (then known as Bombay) became the foremost city where the game of cricket was immensely popularized. May be owing to moderate weather of the city or may be owing to its affluence, and some other reasons, Mumbai won the pride of place and contributed to the development and further popularization of the game. In post-independence period, Mumbai retained its primacy as the cricket town of India. The town sent a number of players who made a name in the history of cricket and thus brought laurels to the country. Even today Mumbai stands out as the foremost town that claims to have sent in top ranking players who have made history and who have made India proud. We salute them all.
Sports are a skill and demonstration of physical prowess. But it also is a sort of worship. We are told that when a sportsman or sportswoman attains great heights and name and fame, he or she becomes a celebrity and then people attribute divine powers and qualities to him or her. They become the icons; people name their kids after the sportsmen and younger generation keeps their pictures in their bedrooms. There are some who admire them and feel inner happiness when thinking of their unbelievable feats. But imagine their trauma when their faith in their idols is shaken by the news of corruption having penetrated into this pristine entertainment. Cricket is one game that has unpredictability or suspense as its hallmark and that is precisely what keeps watchers glued to the game. Now this purity of sports and intense attachment of the fans, both have been destroyed by shameful act of match-fixing and cheating the people who are there on the benches in the stadium to watch, appreciate and applause the players on the field. Match fixing is a fraud on the innocent but inquisitive people of the country.
Previously when reports of match fixing by cricketers of other countries would pour in, we thanked God that our teams were spared the scourge and then we boasted of our culture and honesty in all walks of life. This was what we projected as the richness of Indian civilization. We gave sports its due respect and in the process we also showed our players what they deserved in their right. When Indian cricket team wins a match, millions of Indian youth fire crackers and rejoice on great achievements. Kapil Dev was the first captain of Indian Cricket team to win the world cup. He has become a legend, a hero and an icon. So are the great Indian batsmen like Gavaskar and Sachin. But alas our cricketers could not maintain the pride that we had inherited and fell to the temptation of match-fixing, which has now been proved beyond doubt and has caused humiliation to the nation. Imagine the pain and sadness that match-fixing brings to the icons of our sports world. Those who fix matches bring slur to the nation and disrespect to great sportsmen like those mentioned here. We cannot persist with this humiliating situation and the authorities must make lightening move to stem the rot with full force. Money power should not be allowed to pollute the spirit of the game. The youth of India want that sports should be for the sake of sports and nothing should be allowed to happen to dilute its purity. Action against the defaulters is more than wanted. We know cricket means huge money but the people of the country do not think of money. They think of the game, its beauty, its nuances, its uncertainty, its suspense and its élan. If the government needs to step in it should do so without loss of time because aspirations of crores of people of this country are linked to a fair and faultless game.
Mailbag
Plight of cricket in J&K
Sir,
The recent article “Stop blame game, make game winner” published in this paper sometime back regarding the uncertaintyh in JKCA and cricket activities was quite heartwarming. I would like to congratulate the writer for this unbiased reporting. Being a former captain of the Ranji Trophy State team, I am also associated with the selection process of the state teams for various age groups for the past two years. Being associated with the game for years now this unstability and uncertainty is nothing new to JKCA. The internal bickering and the blame game has been going on for decades now. The unfortunate financial scam has jolted the roots of JKCA and has threatened its very existence. However bleak the situation may be, we are still happy to play the dirty politics and the blame game is flourishing. Instead of a collective respone to such a catastrophe, our daggers are drawn and are gunning for each other. Does anybody spend a thought about the game itself. How does it matter to a young lad, who is aspiring to play for the state in U-14, U,16 or U-19 age group, that who is at the helm of the affairs in JKCA. For him a fair opportunity, necessary coaching and a fair chance to show case his talent is everything he expects from us. Whether the present forum continues or a new body takes over it will not make a difference to the young boys aspirations. We have few very respectable working committee members who are associated with JKCA for decades now. It is high time we realize that we don’t make the game but it is the game that has made us.
The cricketing season has already set in and precious time has been lost. Despite the financial crunch, the Jammu wing is doing a commendable job by organizing coaching camps for U-14, U-16 and U-19 age group. The sight of these young guns sweating it out under the watchful eyes of the coaches is something to behold. Out of love for the game and also with a view to provide a thrust to the cricketing activities, a proposal was mooted by few of us; we decided to make voluntary contributions from our own sources. Since JKCA provides a handsome amount to the various affiliated units as subsidy, some of these clubs also come forward to make voluntary contributions. The proposal received immediate approval of the Chairman, JKCA who also volunteered to contribute. These contributions are to be used to organize Late Pran Nath Malhotra Memorial Tournament and also various coaching camps underway at Hostel Ground, Science College, Jammu. However people have started finding faults with such a noble gesture. Gone are the days when cricket was being played for passion. We played for passion and pride. Though times have changed I have seen the same passion and pride in some of the eyes.
The internal politics of JKCA should not be allowed to hold the cricketing activities to ransom. The formation of JKCA is worthy President’s call. Let him decide about it. For decades together cricket has been at the receiving end in our State, despite the huge financial assistance provided by the BCCI. Can’t we forget our eternal conflicts and inflated egos for a while and not hold the game a hostage. Our boys performed exceedingly well in various BCCI tournaments. Our U-22 team made it to the elite group. Besides 17 centuries were scored by our boys in various BCCI tournaments. This beginning needs to be harnessed. Some of our colleagues, sensing a kill, have deliberately chosen to stall cricket activities, using it as a tool to force their personal issues. Whose interest are they serving? This myopic mind set needs to be changed. Individuals don’t matter in an association. It is a collective effort that matters. Sadly that has no meaning for us. I sincerely hope hope that saner heads prevail and cricket be given a fair chance to flourish.
Yours etc…
Shahid Parvez
Former Ranji Trophy captain
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