Thiruvananthapuram  :

It was an untiring journey that began in 1983. C Santhosh Kumar, who was a college boy then, decided to start a club, Sussex Cricket Academy, that could help young and budding cricketers in Kozhikode. All of them in his group were inexperienced players who were just 14 years old.

The journey never ceased and it went on despite all hardships, producing players in various age groups, who went on to represent the state, and the club turning out to be a team to reckon with by winning various championships.

But, behind all these, it was the effort of Santhosh that single-handedly steered the club, despite all the hardships that he faced, to give back something to the sport and those who loved it. Dedicating his life to the game, he decided to forgo a married life that he felt, would place some restrictions on his life.

Though many played and never turned back to him, he never regretted or got disappointed as his sole aim has been to produce quality players who can learn the basics of cricket and build a strong foundation upon which they can grow.

“I was just 19 years old and still studying in college when the decision to start the club was formulated. It was intense passion for the game that made me switch from football to cricket,” he says.

It was interesting in those days, as he had very little knowledge of the game or the rules. Watching television, understanding the game and listening to commentaries helped in the initial days, he recalls.

In the later years, it was sheer experience on and off the ground. Many tournaments were won and the club went on to help players who  regularly came to the club and some others who joined the tournament and went on to play for the state, he says. Santhosh, who is still going strong, feels that Kozhikode can produce world class players, provided that officials governing the District Cricket Association keep their differences aside and work towards the development of the game by supporting the clubs and developing infrastructure in the district.

It was never easy for him to operate the club. Running the club with his own funds and finding a ground to keep the net practice alive was something difficult. Despite switching to various grounds to keep the practice going, he was never disappointed. Finally, help came from the management of Malabar Christian College, which helped him by providing space to support the game and players, he says.

He laments that the district lacks even a good ground and facilities for conducting matches. “Lack of ground and good facilities in the district is quite a stumbling block for the players and if more players are to be produced, better facilities should be arranged,” he opines.

For him the sole aim is not position or recognition, but the sheer commitment to give back something to the game of cricket by producing quality players. The journey continues as he feels proud speaking about the players who contributed to the development of the club.

Rohan and Sabin Pasha, who are representing the state under-19 team, have high regards for Santhosh, who has moulded them from their young age. “We are never discouraged and are allowed to play our game. But he never hesitates to tell us where we go wrong after every game,” says Rohan.

“His approach is very cool. He insists that we  think more about the game and the technical aspects than the fancy and charm around it,” says Sabin, attributing his success in the state level to Santhosh’s support and encouragement.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / C.P. Sajit / April 06th, 2015