August 13 marks the first anniversary of India’s victory in the inaugural T20 Physical Disability Cricket World Series that was held in Worcester, UK.
The team under the flagship of All India Cricket Association for Physically Challenged (AICAPC), an NGO that was founded in 1988 by Late Shri Ajit Wadekar, started their World Cup campaign in April last year and after months of planning and training; India emerged as World Champions, a feat well received & appreciated by a cricket crazy nation. Recognition and reward from the country’s highest cricketing authority, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was an icing on the cake. Everybody associated with this victory were on a high, roadmap for future development were laid out and everything was in place to take this momentum forward while being unaware of an event that was slowly unfolding globally which would hit mankind hard.
The outbreak of COVID-19 was unexpected for everyone around the world. Markets crashed, booming economies crumbled, job cuts were at its peak – it basically brought life to a complete standstill worldwide. This virus hit us hard.
How has this pandemic affected the players?
The majority of players have had to face uncertainty. An interruption of training, competitions, the competitive life, and all without knowing when everything will return to the normal situation. There are warnings that an undesired and indefinite interruption of professional activity of players and their isolation could produce the fear of falling behind in fitness, loss of family and social supports due to lockdown, worries about possible COVID-19 infections of family and friends, tendency to think excessively of the future and financial concerns.
There is a popular belief that physically challenged players are psychologically stronger than the average athletes. They have to face challenges that go beyond their abilities, they do it constantly showing a high capacity for endurance and they suffer constant scrutiny of their performance and exposure to public opinion in media and social networks. However, mental aspects of physically challenged players are similar in proportion to those of the general population. The undesired interruption of professional sports practice can result in a loss of self-esteem. All of a sudden players were asking themselves questions like What’s next now? When will this End?
Role of AICAPC in player’s wellbeing
The primary focus of the association during this lockdown period was to maintain the camaraderie amongst the players and simulate the dressing room environment. An excess of stress or loss of thrill for sports can cause a player to go into isolation that could eventually lead to depression.
To keep players engaged, various initiatives were introduced. A contest called ‘Clean Kit Challenge’ was initiated on social media wherein players had to maintain their cricket gear in top condition. They had to upload a video or photograph of the same. Player with the cleanest kit was declared the winner.
Challenges inspire the Champion within us – this mantra got players to take up ‘Fitness Challenge’ wherein they shared their workout videos on social media.
Eager to put a positive spin on the current situation most of the players actively engaged themselves in these activities. Initially they thought there was no way they could gain anything from it but then later they actually felt like they have done a real good job of staying fit, getting strong and doing things that they wouldn’t necessarily do.
Online Coaching session was another initiative that was very well received by the players. Experts would talk and discuss about various cricketing skills & aspects of the game through video call. This was an interactive session where questions posted by players would be answered by these experts. These sessions also made players aware of various career options that were available in sports.
‘Dressing Room Ki Baatein’ (DRKB) is one of the most popular chat show that is currently being streamed on Facebook. Having successfully completed 18 episodes, DRKB has played host to former Indian Test cricketers. These stalwarts shared their journey and highlights of their illustrious career with the viewers.
All these above activities have definitely helped players to remain focused and positive.
With regards to on-field cricket activities, AICAPC has multiple plans chalked up for the near future. These would be officially announced and rolled out once the pandemic eases and government lifts restrictions on commencement of outdoor games.
The question now arises in everyone’s mind – what state will players be in after lockdown?
For any player, uncertainty is one of the toughest things to deal with as they attempt to maintain a level of fitness and remain flexible to a vastly changing environment, all while having little concept of when their next competition might come.
Return to normal training will need to be carefully monitored after lockdown eases. Players have been currently training in an unusual environment. The trainer and physiotherapist have to look very carefully at their physical conditioning to make sure they don’t pick up injuries when transferring back into the normal environment.
To conclude, this crisis has highlighted the fact that remote training of the team has prioritized human contact to maintain the bond between teammates. Among the advice that experts have shared, one stands out which is to modify and rethink long term goals and objectives and focus on healthcare and activities that serve to avoid or reduce concerns about health crisis in future.
(This article has been authored by Brijesh Solkar who is associated with All India Cricket Association for Physically Challenged (AICAPC) since 2019 and is an integral member of the Selection Committee panel. A former cricketer himself who has represented Mumbai in U-15, U-17, U-19 categories and also Mumbai University.)
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