On Sunday 16th Feb, 7 starry-eyed volunteers arrived at the Marylebone Biratnagar Jwala cricket ground armed with 8 sets of stumps, 12 plastic bats and a passion for the beautiful game.
However, nothing could prepare us for the 6 hours of cricket coaching we would deliver to 320 students over the course of the day. We taught hard-ball sessions to promising students from existing CWB programs, played games of catch in the middle of packed school playgrounds, and worked on our non-verbal demonstrations in a school for the hearing impaired.
Despite the variety of environments and students, what ran through all our sessions was the feeling of excitement and freedom only sport and exercise can bring. Each 1.5 hour block of cricket-fuelled fun was welcome relief from the school routine for teachers and pupils alike.
There are definitely challenges – our lack of Nepali lead to some comical mix-ups, and it is tough to strike the balance between trying to support those who are naturally gifted whilst ensuring everyone can have as much fun as possible. Despite this, we had immense fun working with the kids and our local Nepali coaches. Ultimately it is this network of local coaches and change-makers™ who can affect a lasting impact on Nepali cricket, and I look forward to spending the next 2 weeks supporting and learning from them.
Tarun
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