Gopal Jasapara: A go-to-man for cricketers, and Netherlands’ love for him

By K.R. Nayar
From Wankhede Stadium

Mumbai. Gopal Jasapara is a cricket coach who not only grooms budding cricketers but also actively participates in the game, conducts cricket discussions on YouTube, and runs a website called cricketlovers.com. As the head coach of the Dubai-based G Force Cricket Academy, he exemplifies his deep love for cricket, as reflected in the name of his website, cricketlovers.com. Moreover, he excels in organizing cricket events, which led to him being selected as the Liaison Officer for the West Indies cricket team during the ICC T20 2021 World Cup in the UAE.

 

Gopal Jasapara (left), Don Edwards, Shannon Young and Charlie, a right-arm spinner 

Gopal, as he is commonly known, is the go-to person for many cricketers and even international teams when it comes to travel logistics. His only condition is that the purpose must be related to the cricket. Gopal's commitment is well acknowledged by players like Kieron Pollard and Chris Gayle, and they make sure to contact him anytime they have a layover in Dubai, even if it's just for a few hours. They know that this go-to person will be there to assist them with anything related to cricket or arrange their accommodation for a few days.

 

Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards autographed team jersey 

The Netherlands team and their performance is currently the talk of the World Cup. Jasapara has witnessed their dedication to the game.  He was aware that the world would soon take notice of this team given the due rigorous training they were involved in. Very often, he has helped out Shannon Young, Netherlands’ skipper Scott Edwards’ coach, with some logistics.

 

With Scott Edwards team jersey 

Jasapara met Young in 2015 during the World Cup in Australia, after which they have maintained their relationship.  To provide some moral boost to the team, skipper Scott Edwards’s father, Don Edwards, is also travelling with the team. “I helped them out to watch matches in Lucknow. Kolkata and New Delhi. I was also invited to Delhi for the match against Australia, and there I met the whole team and watched the match too,” said Jasapara.

 

Gopal Jasapara with Kieron Pollard 

Young has visited the G Force Cricket Academy in Dubai to coach his youngsters, and Jasapara has taken him to India as well. Every summer, Young brings cricketers from the Netherlands to India, and Jasapara manages their facilities, thus letting them train freely.

 

Jasapara went on to reveal that Young and many young cricketers will receive full support for their 18-day cricket tour of Gujarat and Dehradun in March and April 2024. Edwards' father and Young presented Gopal with an autographed Team Netherlands jersey.

 

Gopal Jasapara with Chris Gayle 

Through Young, Jasapara learned about Scott Edwards' exceptional cricketing skills and mental strength. Jasapara believes that the sky is the limit for cricketers who have such passion. Young has instilled these qualities in Edwards, and Jasapara feels that fate always guides him to genuine cricket lovers. 

 

Through a partnership with Team India’s official support group, The Bharat Army, Jasapara had also facilitated the possibility for many cricket fans in Dubai and India to watch the India-Pakistan match in Ahmedabad. He had organised their flights, accommodations, match tickets, and transportation to and from the venue. 

 

Recently, Jasapara organized the Shyam Bhaita Cricket for Care cricket kit distribution to young cricketers at the Ekana Stadium in coordination with the Ekana Foundation before the India-England match.