If I have to describe what cricket means to me in one word, I will say it is ‘passion.’
Growing up in the royal city of Patiala (Punjab), which is also the hometown of cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu, playing cricket was a daily ritual.
I will always cherish those moments of playing cricket in the streets, rooftops and all Sunday games. Such was the excitement of playing Sunday cricket that I remember I could not sleep properly the night before because I wanted to play cricket.
When my father saw my potential, he took me to a coach at a local club, where Sidhu used to practice when he was in the city.
The coach, looking at my game, decided to take me under his wings.
But my mother wanted me to concentrate on my studies and not spend much time playing Cricket.
I was very disappointed at the time but I will always be grateful to my mother, because it was my education that brought me to this beautiful country, not cricket.
Million dreams
Millions play cricket in India and dream of making it to the national team but only a handful get the opportunity.
Corruption and political Interference are factors that can get in your way of making it to the top. I knew that I would not be a successful cricketer and hence focused on education.
When I came to New Zealand to pursue my studies, I remember playing from a club side (junior) and scoring 93 runs. The next day I was advised that I was playing for the senior side.
Therefore, if you are good at playing cricket, it is likely you will be recognised at some stage and it is up to you to take up opportunities and make the most of them.
Professional players
Players such as Ish Sodhi and Bhupinder Singh used the opportunities that were presented to them and hence are today role models within their communities.
It is a common trend, especially in Auckland, for youngsters to play for the so-called ‘Mates’ team. The downside of playing for such teams is that your talent is likely to go unnoticed and unrecognised.
I am sharing this with the readers from my personal experience.
I encourage all the cricket players to consider joining a recognised cricket club because it is likely that your talent will not go unnoticed and cricket clubs are right pathways to climb the ladder to make it to the district and the national side.
Parents of young children who are playing cricket should know that there are opportunities and it is important to ensure that their talent is noticed, recognised and rewarded.
Constable Gurpreet Arora is South Asian Liaison Officer at the Counties Manukau Police and a member on the independent panel of judges of the Indian Newslink Indian Sports Awards 2013.
