Rajib Rajbongshi

Junior international Abu Naschim Ahmed?s coach, Rajib Rajbongshi, feels the standards of cricket in Assam have deteriorated greatly, mainly because the organisers are more interested in politicking rather than prioritising the sport?s development.

Lauding the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) for spending funds on the game?s all-round development, Rajbongshi felt it was time to engage in retrospection to find out if the funds were utilised properly and whether the outcome was satisfactory.

In an exclusive interview to The Telegraph, Rajbongshi, who has been Ahmed?s coach since 2000, opined that the players, too, have to adopt the right kind of attitude towards the sport to excel. Excerpts:

 

On Abu Naschim Ahmed?s stellar Under-19 World Cup performance

Rajbongshi: Outstanding! In fact, the moment he took the first wicket was the happiest in my life. He could have been outstanding with the bat, too, had he got a chance. (Ahmed was substituted in batting under the ICC?s super-sub rule). He scalped 10 wickets. Not only I, seniors like Kamal Das and Satyagopal Chakraborty, who have also trained him, were very happy at that moment.

 

On the role of the ACA and other state organisations when Ahmed landed in Guwahati after his feat in Colombo (at a time when the state was celebrating the victory of a singer of Assam in a television reality show)

Rajbongshi: It was quite disappointing. ACA office-bearers could have at least received him at the airport. It would have come as a gesture of encouragement to the youngster.

 

On Ahmed?s future prospects

Rajbongshi: He stands a fair chance of becoming the first-ever senior international from Assam if our cricket bosses here back him properly. After all, it?s an open secret that to book a berth in the Indian team, adequate lobbying is the key. Besides, he needs financial support for advanced training outside Assam, where he can get access to the right kind of infrastructure.

 

On the state of affairs in Assam cricket

Rajbongshi: It has certainly deteriorated a great deal, primarily due to politicking among the organisers. The priority should be to rid the game of politics. The ACA is, no doubt, spending crores of rupees on the development of cricket. But it appears that the funds were not utilised properly for getting optimum benefits.

 

On the standards of the sport in Guwahati, considered the hub of cricket in the state

Rajbongshi: As far as the age group tourneys are concerned, it is satisfactory, because they have lost in inter-district tournaments to comparatively much older boys from other districts.

However, the senior players appear to have lost direction. They are basically suffering from an attitude problem. At a time when they should concentrate on the game with a professional attitude, their attention is diverted. This tells on their form.