Bangalore and back!

The young cricketers from the Youth Cricket Academy, Bahrain, have returned to the kingdom exhausted yet exhilarated from their recent tournament in Bangalore, India.

The 12-and-under team got the ball rolling against Aditya Global Academy, posting 118, with openers Jagan (25) and George (14) the top scorers. 

Bahrain demonstrated their intent immediately with George starting with a double wicket maiden before Shakshat demolished the middle order with three wickets while Chaitanya’s bamboozling flight accounted for two more, Manav mopping up the tail.

In the U12s final Rishabh Ramesh won the toss and, with dew on the ground, wisely elected to bowl first. A tight opening spell from George and Shlok left MSCA on only 10 runs from seven overs before the captain turned to spin.

This was an inspired move as Rahul ripped through the batting order taking a remarkable six wickets as the batsmen struggled to cope with the prodigious spin he generated. Manav (3) and George (1) were the others to claim wickets.

Opening batsmen, Jagan and George, quickly set about the opposition bowlers returning a 10-wicket victory with only seven overs used, with Jagan finishing on 25 not out and George 15 not out.

Bahrain U14s lost their opening match to Hardwart School despite tight bowling and two wickets apiece for Ayoosh, Shlok, Sunny and Anirudh although an excellent partnership between Jagan (27) and Sunny (14) brought the visitors to within 22 runs.

Facing a must-win match against Aditya Global Academy this time it was sloppy bowling and fielding that conceded 145 runs with one wicket apiece for Ayoosh, Anirudh, George, Sunny and Rahul.
 
Facing by far the highest total in the tournament, star opener Jagan set about the opposition attack with the top order loaded with big hitters. Unfortunately no-one was able to settle meaning that when George entered the fray 48 runs were required from 6 overs. However, intelligent batting had the crowd on the edge of their seats as they crept closer to the imposing total. 

The unfortunate dismissal of Jagan in the final over for an heroic 52 saw Bahrain fall agonizingly short by a solitary run with George on 20 not out.

In a tournament where the age limits appeared to be more of a guideline than a rule the Bahrain team sometimes struggled against stronger and older opposition.

But their collective performance has laid the foundations, believes head coach Rajesh Machado, for the future expansion of the club.  Along with the other coaches, Jayaraj Bhandary and Noorul Sheikh, and sponsors, they are working hard to build their own ground and training facilities in Bahrain.

There are also plans to play in a Gulf Cup tournament in Dubai in December which may feature Academy sides from UK counties and India in a tournament that is sure to test their mettle.  Machado is also keen to help expand the tournament in Bangalore and return next year.

Coach Rajesh, who has been playing the game for 22 years in the Bahrain Cricket Association’s Senior League, believes this tournament has been a great experience for the youngsters and that it will help mould them into strong athletes, as well as assist them into adulthood.

He said: “In the span of my career, I have coached 1,324 children between the ages of five and 16. Out of these boys, more than 60 are playing in first divisions in India and the UK.

“A couple of my past students are even playing at a national level in India. My aim has always been to help these young boys to grow and develop into strong men and the tours and international tournaments play a role in that. It teaches them how to be independent, disciplined and mingle with others.”

Bahrain boys bowled over by school visit
In addition to their participation in a gruelling tournament Bahrain’s young cricketers also added charitable endeavours to their timetable.

Following the final of the U16 tournament the squad drove for more than two hours to visit the Primary School of the Samarthanam Trust where they were greeted by the founder, Mahantesh Kivadasannavar, whose welcome speech eloquently and enthusiastically referred to the removal of boundaries and a mutual love of cricket. 

He also revealed plans for a new 700 capacity school that is currently under construction while detailing dreams to be able to cater for 100,000 disabled across India by 2020.

In addition, the players and coaches were greeted by approximately 60 children with a variety of disabilities who sang songs and were clearly delighted to be visited by the Bahrain athletes.

There was an initial presentation detailing the history, current work and future aspirations of the Trust while also documenting that there were 60 million disabled people in India. 

This was followed by the introduction of Shekar Naik, the current captain of the Indian blind cricket team, along with the World Championship trophy the country won in 2012.

It was thanks to the Samarthanam Trust that blind cricket has evolved as the organisation helped host the inaugural tournament in Bangalore.

Shekar then explained the rules and tactics associated with playing cricket blind before cheers erupted when he described how his team defeated Pakistan in the final to claim the title.

After the presentations an initial donation was made by George Axtell, the spearhead of the charity initiative with additional fund-raising activities continuing.

Shekar then gave several children an opportunity to play cricket blindfolded in order to simulate playing conditions. George, Jagan and Chaitanya donned a blindfold while Shekar bowled with Mahantesh behind the stumps offering advice.
Many of the travelling Bahrain party were clearly touched by the event and Neel remarked on how moved he felt at the misfortune suffered by the pupils at the school.

Amartya also reflected that as children they frequently complained to their parents when they didn’t get their own way, yet these children had little and were among the happiest he had ever met, before stating that he would be donating money he had received from a recent birthday to the cause.

If the team returns George hopes to be able to spend more time with the children while also perhaps having a full game with them, and Mahantesh hopes to be able to bring a team over to play a series of matches in Bahrain.

* The aim is to collect in excess of BD1,000 and fundraising for the disabled Indian students continues.  Anyone wishing to donate can contact Rajesh on 39760749 or David on 39432133.