Post MSD, a new cricket star from Ranchi has shined in international cricket. Wondering howIJ Golu Kumar, a visually-impaired student of St Michael School for Blind has brought laurels for the State by becoming the first blind cricketer from Jharkhand to represent the Indian team in World Cup and win the tournament.
The budding player was given a warm welcome on his return to his hometown on Saturday. He was a part of team India in five out of the seven matches of the tourney. “I played till the semi-final wherein I scored 15 runs in two overs. It was not an easy task for our team to win. Our first league match was against Pakistan. In the semi-final it was Sri lanka. Defeating Pakistan in the final was the most difficult step. It was not easy to bag the champion’s position,” he said.
Unfortunately, most of the cricketers in Golu’s team hail from economically humble background. Golu wants Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to adopt the Blind Cricket Associations for this reason. “There were many players in my team who work as daily wage laboureres. They missed their work to represent the team in World Cup. They could not even afford the train or air transportation ticket charges if an NGO would not have turned up. So, BCCI should adopt the blind cricket associations and sponsor us,” said the 15-year-old student of Class X who stays at Booty More locality of Ranchi.
The teenager is an expert in balling. India won seven out of the eight matches in the World Cup held at South Africa from November 25 to December 9. Golu is known a sober student in his school. His principal NNP Agarwal said he has never been scolded in the school.
His parents said that the achievement was a “proud moment” for them. “He is playing cricket since the age of eight years. We want him to make a career in the field of cricket. He has a bright future in the game,” his father Rajesh Ohdar, a businessman said. For mother Devanti Devi Golu’s honour is a dream come true. “My son is now a famous. It is a pleasant surprise for me,” she said.
Besides, the felicitation of museum curator M Sarfuddin, former deputy mayor Ajaynath Shahdeo, St Michael school teachers, Cricket Association for the Blind in Jharkhand members and family, Golu was felicitated by Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) president Amitabh Choudhary at the international stadium. Showing a victory sign he travelled in a jeep decorated with flowers from airport to the cricket stadium.
President of the Cricket Association for the Blind Vivek Kumar handed over a memorandum to Choudhary for proving support to their ‘special association’. Choudhary suggested approaching the government and visiting the school soon for further details on the required assistance.
Notably, the young cricketer was gifted a cricket kit by Central Coalfields limited when he was departing for the historic World Cup. The Sports department has also planned to motivate him after the Model Code of Conduct is revoked.