Karnataka Institute of Cricket (KIOC) that groomed players like Robin Uthappa, Mayank Agarwal, Manish Pandey and Devdutt Padikkal concludes their Dubai tour

By K.R. Nayar

(KIOC) Karnataka Institute of Cricket’s nine-day tour of the Dubai ended on a successful note. For the visiting boys it was a good exposure while for the teams that played against them it was an experience against a well-groomed team from India. G Force Cricket Academy had organized this nine-day tour for KIOC, and it was made up of seven matches. What makes KIOC a special team is the fact that it is an Institute of Cricket that has groomed some of the finest cricketers in Indian cricket such as Robin Uthappa, Mayank Agarwal, Manish Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal and many more.

KIOC coach Naseeruddin and captain Karan Gowda receives the tour trophy from Gopal Jasapara and yours truly.  

KIOC arrived in Dubai on May 18 and played two matches against G Force Cricket Academy, one match against Desert Cubs Cricket Academy, and another against the Tellicherry Cricket Academy. Freddy Sidhwa, UAE’s veteran cricketers and passionate lover of the game, too organized a match for them against the Ocean Fair team on his cricket ground at Dubai Investment Park (DIP).

KIOC team with the trophies 

Irfan Sait, who has earned his Level I, II and III coaching distinctions from three countries, is the owner of KIOC. This reputed coach with 30 years of experience had met Gopal Jasapara in 2004, and this tour is the result of their long years of friendship. Sait had also visited the Shyam Bhatia cricket museum.

Irfan Sait receives a copy of Shyam Bhatia's 'Portrait of the Game' during a visit to  Bhatia's museum.

Sait, who earned his Level 1 from India, Level II from Australia, and Level III from England, has shaped cricketers not only in India but also from the UK and USA. Today, many players like Shreyas Gopal, K Gowtham, Varun Aaron, Priyam Garg who have sparkled in the IPL are from KIOC. Former Indian allrounder Stuart Binny had also trained at KIOC. Women cricketers like Veda Krishnamurthuy and India captain Mamatha Maben are from KIOC.

Freddy Sidhwa hands over a memento to KIOC coach Naseeruddin 

On the final day, a colourful ceremony was held at the Savoy Hotel where the team stayed. Speaking at the function, Gopal Jasapara, Head Coach of the G Force Cricket Academy, said: “What I liked about the KIOC boys during this tour is that they played every match with intensity. I enjoyed seeing a lot of smile on the faces of the boys who batted and bowled and that is the way cricket needs to be played. Hope this experience helps you all in your future journey. Anytime you want to come back here, we are always there to support you. KIOC is like our family. I’ve known Irfan Sait since 2004 when he had come to Dubai. “

KIOC coach Eesa Puthige receives the Player of the Tour award

KIOC Coach Naseeruddin, who guided the boys to play on conditions different from India, said: “We are very thankful to Gopal for arranging such a wonderful tour. As players they learned a lot, and as a coach I too have learned many things during this tour. We will go back and work on our weakness identified during this tour and improve to become better players. There are many emerging players who can go on to play at the highest level and we want G Force to be proud saying that these boys were once part of this tour. On behalf of Irfan Sir, I thank Gopal for giving such an opportunity.”

KIOC's Suman Kumar receives the best batsman of the tour award

G Force Academy that has organized 39 cricket tours to different parts of the world always mixes serious cricket with fun and hence ensured that the KIOC boys experienced a desert safari.

 KIOC's Karan V Gowda receives the best bowler award 

Based on their performances, the best players were honoured with special trophies.  Suman Kumar bagged the best batsman of the tour award; the best bowler award went to Karan V Gowda, and the outstanding player of the tour was Eesa Puthige. Talah Sheriff  and Mohammed Ibrahim Rayyan were the emerging players of the tour.

KIOC's Talah Sheriff receives the emerging player of the tour award

During the match at the Ocean Fair ground, Freddy Sidhwa presented a memento to KIOC coach Naseeruddin. The fact that Sidhwa, who is in his eighties, continues to play active cricket was inspirational for the players. 

KIOC's Mohammed Ibrahim Rayyan receives the emerging player of the tour award 

Addressing the KIOC boys during the closing ceremony, yours truly urged the boys to keep improving every day, recording every day’s progress, and never be satisfied even with a century or a five wicket haul but keep performing consistently.

KIOC boys during the desert safari 

As the KIOC boys boarded the G Force bus to the airport, they carried with them happy memories of the tour and more knowledge about cricket.