While the cricket fans in the country are busy predicting India’s outcome in the upcoming ICC cricket World Cup 2015, another cricket team has done the nation proud; albeit without any of the hoopla that the former carries. The Indian blind cricket team recently won the 4th ODI World Cup Cricket for the Blind, held in South Africa. The emphatic victory came after defeating arch-rivals Pakistan in a nail-biting encounter in the finals.
Shekar Naik, the captain of the team, spoke exclusively to Omni Pundit’s Bhavesh Bhimani after returning from South Africa. In the interview, Shekar shares his views on the victory, his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a bit more. Read on.
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Omni Pundit: You have been meeting several ministers and dignitaries after your return. How did the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi go?
Shekar Naik: I knew that this moment will never come again and hence tried to make the most of it. Meeting Modiji was surreal. He is so genuine and down to earth. He said that we have made the entire country proud. He made us feel like his own sons. His words have inspired me to keep working hard for my country.
Omni Pundit: What other felicitations have you received so far?
Shekar Naik: Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal felicitated us on Thursday and awarded the entire team with a cash prize of 5 lakh rupees each. This is the kind of money that none of us had seen in our lives. We are thus elated and really grateful to the Sonowal ji and the central government. Nevertheless, more than this money what we need is permanent jobs and affiliation from the BCCI. If the government can somehow ensure that then it will be the best thing for us.
Omni Pundit: What do you feel led to this victory?
Shekar Naik: There were two concrete reasons which led to this victory. Firstly, our coach (Patrick Rajkumar) had worked immensely hard on us. He was like the Sharukh Khan of Chak De India for us. His strategies for each and every player and for every match worked like magic. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of all the players. He could read our minds and made plans accordingly. He is the real hero of this victory. Secondly, South Africa had won the first World Cup which was held in India back in 1998. We really wanted to avenge that loss and prove to them that we too can do the same on their soil.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t awarded any cash prize like us. I hope that the government realizes this and awards him too as well as he too is an inherent part of this achievement.
Omni Pundit: Who according to you were the star performers of the team in this tournament?
Shekar Naik: Oh there were many! Venkatesh, Prakash, Chetan Patel, Ajay Reddy and then of course myself (laughs). But seriously, I think all of us have contributed to this victory. Every single player made some valuable effort in each game. We gelled outstandingly well as a team and our camaraderie and understanding with each other was amazing.
Omni Pundit: The last one. What are your future plans now?
Shekar Naik: Well, the next goal is the 2016 T20 World Cup. We have to defend the title and for that we need to start planning soon. It would be exciting to win it. However, I do hope that people do recognize our contribution for the country. We are as passionate as any other sportsperson and the media and the people should support us. I hope this comes true soon.