Dubai: Jhulan Goswami, the highest wicket taker in women’s cricket, and Tushar Arothe, the Indian women’s team coach who guided the squad to the final of the World Cup, have paid a visit to the UAE to inspire budding cricketers.
Goswami and Arothe commenced their three-day cricket clinic at the G Force Cricket Academy yesterday after launching the event at the Shyam Bhatia Cricket For Care Museum.
The clinic is being backed by Shyam Bhatia Cricket for Care Charity. Bhatia, who distributes kits for needy cricketers around the world through his Cricket for Care initiative have helped many cricketers around the world to get advanced training.
Speaking at the launch, Goswami said: “Sports should never have any gender bias. It should be for everyone. Love for sports should start from a very young age. I would love to see cricket in the UAE grow. My role will be to inspire the youngsters while Tushar will be doing the coaching side. I will share my experiences with the youngsters as I came from tough surroundings and I too want youngsters here to become good cricketers.”
Gopal Jasapara, the head coach of the G Force Cricket Academy said: “It’s a great honour to have Goswami and Tushar here.
“This is the first time in the history of our academy that a current Indian women cricketer is being part of a clinic. Even women cricketers from Oman have come to learn tips from the clinic.
“This clinic will be for boys and girls from age 10 to 16 and nearly 35 youngsters have registered for the camp.”
Goswami wants UAE women to play in the Asia Cup and go on to play in even bigger events.
“While playing for India I have seen many non-Test playing nations like Thailand and Nepal,” said Goswami, who surpassed Australian cricketer Cathryn Fitzpatrick to become the highest wicket-taker in women’s ODI history with 195 wickets and now enjoys mentoring youngsters. “If more youngsters from here can take part, then the UAE can regularly appear in Asia Cup and qualify for even bigger tournaments. When coach Tushar suggested about a clinic here I readily agreed and decided to come all the way from Kolkata as I wanted to help the youngsters here.”
Arothe is delighted that Indian cricket is looking up, especially women’s cricket after his team’s World Cup showing.
“The mindset of the people in India has changed and they are keen to support women’s cricket. Despite the women’s team not being able to cross the last hurdle and win the World Cup we have won the hearts of the cricket fans. We are all receiving excellent support from the BCCI as well as the ICC and I am happy that cricket is flourishing.”
Goswami and Arothe, who toured the Bhatia museum before the launch, were in awe of the history of cricket and memorabilia inside the museum.
Arothe, who is the most sought-after coach in women’s cricket, had played 114 first-class matches for Baroda and scored 6,105 runs and taken 225 wickets as a left-handed batsman and right-arm off break bowler.
“For cricket to grow, the UAE should take part in small tournaments on a regular basis and also talent research needs to be done regularly.” said Arothe.
