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Young Cricketers of
India Ian
Pickering Cricket was certainly in vogue as a community activity during our visit to India in February 2004. Among the best schools visited, cricket matches supervised by a teacher were a great success, and cricket was the preferred activity for sponsored boys when they visited “the farm” during our visit. A small group of young boys approached me on one occasion, asking if I knew Ricky Ponting. I think they were at best mildly disappointed when I indicated that I knew who he was, but did not know him personally. Sporting equipment in the schools and villages varied, and one of the best used “cricket bats” was a cut down plank of wood, used with a much pre loved tennis ball. As a former school teacher, I am very supportive of school and village sporting activities. Apart from providing some relief from the drudgery of village lives, sport stimulates the mind. Children who do not even know the name of their own state capital city, know the names of many international cricketers. Sport is also a way to develop healthy well co-ordinated bodies, and above all else, provides a sense of social discipline, which is often lacking in village communities. Project activities in villages with good leadership and social co-operation also attain greater success than villages where these attributes are lacking. Cricket is a good example of sport as a model for social co-operation. Each individual prefers individual tasks, but is completely unable to achieve success without co-operating with others. The sport also has clearly defined rules, and a village “test match” can only have success if all participants follow the rules. Selfishness, and unwillingness to abide by the umpires decision, can only lead to the break-down of the game – and the pleasure will be lost for all. When next you donate funds towards the programs of Action Aid Australia, please consider allowing a few dollars for sporting equipment in schools and village communities. Games are not just games, and our support will assist in the development of young bodies and minds in India |
