|
Last week in my column the attempt was to touch on values of the game of cricket or the lack of it. And it was a pleasant surprise when I received many a message encouraging me to write more on the subject and the disciplines involved. Hence this week my attempt is to touch on “the Spirit of Cricket” and the importance of having it.
It was not long ago that Sri Lanka under the very amiable Mahela Jayawardane won the award for the Spirit of Cricket at the ICC awards. One felt that it was an appreciation Sri Lanka cricket received for the manner the team and the then skipper of the team conducted themselves. It was definitely exemplary on the part of Mahela who made the entire nation proud and send out a strong message to the rest of the world that Sri Lankans are after all law abiding and tolerant and it started with the skipper, which was definitely a huge feather in his cap.
Whilst the National team won that accolade, are the rest of our cricketers involved at all levels of the game following the principals of this great standard the Spirit of Cricket?
The Spirit of Cricket award which was won by Sri Lanka at ICC awards was a huge feather in the cap for the then skipper Mahela Jayawardena. |
Firstly what is the Spirit of Cricket? I am sure it doesn’t need rocket science to understand it. My interpretation of this is, both a player and the team needs to be upholding and abiding by the laws of the game, respect the authorities and even be warm towards their opponents without embarking on the ugly sledging the Aussies taught the cricket world some time ago!
Now the question is, for one to follow these set principals do they know enough of it? Are young kids in schools and in a number of academies taught these great values that governed the gentleman’s game? I mean “governed” in the past tense because it doesn’t appear to be the case in the present. Otherwise do we need to emphasis and discuss such topics today? The last week we touched on issues happening in the system which is unfortunate and the more we dwell on these matters we tend to realize the reasons for young kids to be completely off the mark!
Speaking to knowledgeable coaches who have achieved the highest level in coaching and man management, they tend to feel that; today’s cricket is only about bashing a ball or hurling it at the batsman and nothing else! Once again I couldn’t have agreed more with their perception. Another look at the system be it in a school or in an academy, how many of us could be satisfied with the end product on offer? If it is in a school there have been numerous instances where the coach assumes both the roles of the Master In Charge and Coach and the reason is mainly for manipulation and to win and win at any cost which is the bane of modern youth cricket. Now who is a master in charge? We do know that there are dubious personalities still donning the mantle of this important position in certain institutions. But my reference here is to those teachers of a high level of integrity!
They were always the right source to have. The combination was that, the coach looked after the sport and the teacher concerned ensuring the discipline and the traditions and of course the imposed rule of the law is upheld at all times! It is imperative that people of high caliber be bestowed upon the position of “Master In Charge” rather than schools taking the easy route of convenience which is another reason for the current situation prevailing!
Back to the Spirit of cricket, it is important and should be made mandatory that the Laws governing the game be taught to all kids! One reason being the many amendments the game has gone through and the second and the more important reason being it will ask the player to adhere to it. Besides the law being taught and inculcated, it will to a very great extent avoid the challenging of the Umpire’s verdict by the player however unsatisfactory it may be and develop more acceptance within the player which is an important aspect of any game.
The Spirit of cricket if adopted in the schools and even in the numerous academy’s, it will empower the authorities to discipline and not punish the offending kids and to a great level nullify the menace of Parent interfering as the rule and the law could be enforced across the board. Further to that another area which has left much to be desired is the attire of a kid! Be it in an academy or a school this is another very important aspect of discipline. If I go back memory lane to the late seventies and the early eighties where the writer had exposure to school cricket, it used to be the school uniform and shoes when traveling for a game played at home or away. How many young kids do we witness today in multicolored clothing traveling for school games? It is another area where we witness a total breakdown of discipline that needs immediate correction!
My conclusion is that young kids should be educated in these important areas as we do know that sport is a bridge to produce good citizens of a country and also awareness will definitely help him to understand the situation better and adjust to it. Also let’s realize that cricket is not just about batting or bowling but all round development of a player covering issues and areas on and off the field as well as building the player’s character and personality. I also think that school authorities should take the lead here as otherwise it wont be long before we pass the no return mark causing not just the ruining of the sport but the very player! So bring back the old values and disciplines enforced by those great men of the past! And that’s my clarion call right now! I am sure it will help to heal all our ills not just now but in the future too! Its definitely better to be late than never!
And on the subject of great men of the past Mr.Udaya Wickramasinghe one of the finest gentlemen to done the white coat passed away last week. Udaya who was a respected Test Umpire during his day was known for his impeccable qualities and was somebody who never hesitated to apply the law and play it by the rule! At a time when we speak of the non existence or the deterioration of such important aspects, personalities such as Udaya are rare and will be very hard to replace. One hopes that cricket will see more people of the Caliber of Udaya emerge as it is a crying need for the continuation of “The Gentleman’s Game”
May Udaya be blessed with eternal life!
Roshan Abeysinghe is a leading cricket promoter and an international cricket commentator |
E-mail
