After finishing our sessions in Dol Dol we returned to Nakuru on Wednesday. Once again the format was of school coaching for the majority of the group (including me) while the ECB qualified coach tutors simultaneously ran a coach trainer session. Now as I write preparations are being finalised for a 10 school cricket tournament on Friday, hosted by the Rift Valley Sports Club, which we hope will provide a suitable finale to our efforts in Kenya.
For today’s entry I would like to pay tribute to David Asiji, who has accompanied us throughout this trip. David works for Cricket Kenya, in a role co-ordinating cricket development around the Nakuru region. It is a new role, and a pivotal one for us in making our impact much more sustainable. David has helped to co-ordinate all our school visits and also as a former Kenya U-19 team coach, he has assisted with delivering our sessions.
David was an international cricketer for Kenya (they have full One Day International status, but do not currently play Test Matches). It is inspirational for the children to have someone like David accompany us, who they can aspire to emulate. David has a two inch long scar on his left shoulder, where a delivery from the South African pace bowler, Lance Klusener, smashed into his shoulder bone. During the innings Klusener (‘the fastest bowler I ever faced’) also abused David, calling him a ‘little squirrel’, because of his diminutive stature. Perhaps David regrets telling our group this story as we have christened him ‘little squirrel’ ever since.
Squirrel jokes aside I would like to thank David for all his effort and enthusiasm towards developing cricket. He has been an invaluable member of the party, for starters none of the rest of us would be able to fit in the child seat at the front of the bus. David’s presence has improved the quality of our sessions immeasurably. We try to reinforce the ABC message at various points, but with many children having limited command of English it is a great asset to have David closing each session. Although I don’t understand everything he says it is clear the children respect him immensely and he speaks passionately about the perils of HIV / AIDS. Also, through David, we know the cricket equipment we have transported will be allocated fairly anf follow-up visits to all the schools scheduled, to continue the work we have done.
Also (aside from the less worthy profession of a drug dealer), David’s job is apparently the only one that requires three phones, and he is constantly on his mobile, confirming logistics, arranging sessions with the schools, liasing with press, confirming accomodation, even helping us to haggle to ensure we do not have to pay ‘tourist prices’ for food or equipment.
David is 34 now, and although his international career is now over he still harbours ambitions to play ciricket in England as a club professional. If a club is interested in hiring a top class wicket-keeper batsman, cricket coach and an enthusiastic advocate for cricket in all its forms I would highly recommend him.
I’m reading through this blog now 18 months after I went to Kenya with CWB and its bringing back all the memories! David kept that story quiet from us!!! However we did notice the African timing, all adds to the flavor of the day!