Shyam Bhatia distributes cricket kits in Odisha as his mission to reach out to more underprivileged children continues with plans to visit Nepal and Jammu and Kashmir soon

By K.R. Nayar

When it comes to promoting cricket in places where there is enthusiasm for the game but lack of resources to play the sport, cricket enthusiast and businessman Shyam Bhatia has always tried to reach out to those places.  He recently travelled to the eastern state of India, Odisha, to distribute cricket kits through his Cricket for Care charity. His mission to help underprivileged children in remote areas who are keen to play the game thus continues.

Shyam Bhatia addresses the gathering during his cricket kits distribution function organised by Odisha Cricket Association 

One loses count of the number of places and countries Shyam Bhatia has reached out with his Cricket for Care charity. Be it South Africa, Zimbabwe and almost all Asian countries, including Japan, he has distributed cricket kits to children wanting to play this game. Most cricket boards have huge regard for Bhatia for continuously coming up with ways to boost the game. Many talented cricketers have received scholarships from Bhatia and he has even flown talented players to popular academies for training. He donates bats autographed by legends to organisations looking for ways to generate money for humanitarian causes and disasters.

Shyam Bhatia with Odisha Cricket Association officials 

The Odisha Cricket Association(OCA) organised a grand cricket kit distribution function at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack in association with Cricket for Care and Sree Jagannath Steels and Powers Ltd. Schools affiliated with the Odisha Cricket Association were benefited and over 300 school kids turned up for the function. Odisha's sports and youth services minister Tusharkanti Behera was the chief guest for the function.

Gathering at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack

Addressing the youngsters, Shyam Bhatia,said: “Play with determination in your mind by telling yourself that you want to become an outstanding player. Tell yourself you want to make your state, county and family proud. For that you need to work hard and leave the rest to God. Enjoy and play the game with your heart. With me is Gopal Jasapara, who is also a coach, and he can provide any support for your overall development as a player. My request to everyone is to play good cricket and with devotion.”

Shyam Bhatia being presented a memento by Odisha Cricket Association officials 

Prashant Ahluwalia of Shree Jagannath Steels and Powers Ltd, Debasish Mohanty, former Indian player and national selector for senior men’s team, Asirbad Behera, General Secretary, OCA, along with many OCA officials attended the function.

Gopal Jasapara with the Odisha state women cricketers team 

Gopal Jasapara provided a two-hour coaching session for the women’s cricketers playing for Odisha State. “Once they realised that I am a Level 3 coach, they requested me to conduct a coaching session with them. I spoke to them about team bonding and mental strengthening. I decided not to go sightseeing in Odisha since I felt it would be more apt to be on the ground where I belong,” said Gopal, who like Bhatia, enjoys devoting time for the game and often travels with Bhatia to various centres.

Incidentally, before the Odisha trip, Bhatia had distributed cricket kits to Mumbai’s government schools with underprivileged children who play in Mumbai’s popular Harris and Giles Shield tournaments. Many of Mumbai’s legendary cricketers had attended that function held at the Cricket Club of India. 

Shyam Bhatia distributes his book to school children on World Book Day 2022

Bhatia announced that his journey of supporting underprivileged children will continue. “I will be reaching out to those in Nepal and distributing kits, and have plans to do the same in Jammu and Kashmir,” noted Bhatia, who on World Book Day 2022, gifted his book ‘Portraits of the Game’ to school children to encourage reading habits.

Shyam Bhatia receives the 1983 World Cup players autographed bat from Kirti Azad

On his way from Odisha, Bhatia, who has created one of the finest cricket museums in Dubai, visited former Indian all-rounder Kirti Azad’s residence in New Delhi. Kirti presented Bhatia with the 1983 World Cup players autographed bat. Bhatia’s Cricket for Care Charity to back underprivileged children had started in 2007. “It does not matter for me whether those who are wanting to play the game but are unable to do so are from a Test playing nation or an associate member nation or even a state association, I will try and reach out to them,” said Bhatia.