Interview with Indian Blind Cricket Team Captain Shekar Naik: "Our only demand is affiliation with BCCI"

Q. Who would you like to give credit to your success in life?

Shekar Naik: My parents of course played a massive part in bringing me up nicely. I can never forget their sacrifices for me. There are many others as well: my teachers and coaches in school and even my current coach Patrick Rajkumar has supported and motivate me a lot. However, if there is someone who really turned my life around it is Mr. Mahantesh, the Founder Trustee of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled. He was also the secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association for the Blind and spotted me once in my schooling days. He then encouraged me and roped me in his organization. He has taken care of me like his own child ever since and provided me all the privileges. Samarthanam has even given me a job and I work from them full time. Today, that I am speaking to you is all because of Samarthanam and Mr. Mahantesh.

Q. Are you disappointed that blind cricket does not get much coverage in the Main Stream Media?

Shekar Naik: Yes, of course I am. In fact, I will like to say something here, through you. I request the Government of India, the Indian media, the social sector of the country and others to help us get recognition. All we ask for us is affiliation with the BCCI. Even countries like Pakistan, Australia, England and others are affiliated with the respective cricket boards of their country, but we are not. When won the T20 World Cup for our country, we did not get any rewards from the government. But yes, after last year’s World Cup victory, we got to meet Narendra Modiji and the Sports Minister too gave us cash awards. Apart from that, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan too congratulated us. It was a good feeling. But nevertheless, things can improve a lot for us.

Today, in the IPL, Yuvraj Singh was brought for 14 crore rupees. If the BCCI can give us even 4 crore, we will be able to organize three World Cups and also take care of our players. See, getting affiliated will help all the visually-impaired players who represent the team in getting some regular payments and then maybe some government jobs as well. Cricket, currently, isn’t our primary profession. We play it because we love it. More than anything else, getting representation by the national cricket board will help motivate us. Blind cricket needs help. Most of the blind cricketers come from extremely poor backgrounds. If we get proper support, we can show the country that we too are no less than any other sportsperson. We too represent the country. We too lift the national flag when we win. Just support us; that is all we ask.

Q. What significance does cricket hold in your life?

Shekar Naik: Well, the first thing is that because of cricket I have learned Hindi (laughs). See, all the cricketers in my team are from different parts of the country. I being the captain thus had to learn Hindi to communicate with everyone properly.

But on a serious note, not just I, to any visually impaired person, sport would mean everything. Cricket, as I said, gives me a reason to live. It gives me motivation to believe that I am not a lesser soul and can compete with anyone in this world. Cricket has made me disciplined in life and made my life better.

Q. Since you now have a full time job, how do you manage to practice cricket?

Shekar Naik: Yeah, it is tough. But I have made arrangements at my home here (in Bangalore) and practice every day in the morning or evening for about an hour. Then, on the weekends, I go for some rigorous training and practice sessions with some players at the grounds. It is important to keep yourself fit as playing season isn’t very regular for us.

Q. Are you content with your life today? What are your future ambitions?

Shekar Naik: I am quite happy with my life today. I am married and have a beautiful baby girl. I have lived my life by playing cricket and it has helped me fulfill my mother’s dream. Cricket really has given me a lot of happiness and peace. Now, I want to give back to the game. Next season, I will retire from international cricket. After I retire, I want to be the coach of the national blind cricket team. I also want to help young visually impaired cricketers at the grass root levels. There might be lots of budding talent who would need assistance. I would like to help hone their skills and choose good visually impaired cricketers for my country.

Q. Would you like to give a message to people?

Shekar Naik: I just want to say that whoever you are - be it blind, handicapped or a normal person, you can achieve your dreams if you really want to. Yes, you will face hurdles, but you should never think that you are below anyone in this world. If I can be the captain of the national team after coming from a small town of Shimoga, then anyone can get wherever they want. Just believe in yourself, keep working hard, and victory will be yours.