The memorial pillar erected in memory of the cricketers who died in the boat mishap . Telegraph picture

Paradip, March 1: Cricket has become a sort of anathema, for the residents of Nuagada. Even the Cricket World Cup has failed to arouse the interest of the people living in the village situated on the outskirts of Paradip port town.

People here are averse towards the game due to a tragedy that had struck the village seven years ago. On March 1, 2004, 13 local cricketers drowned in the Mahanadi and died while crossing the river to take part in a local tournament.

After the death of these budding cricketers in the mishap, villagers built a memorial pillar to keep their memory alive. A memorial meeting was held today reminding the people of the tragedy.

Ever since the untimely death of youths, playing cricket has no more been a passion for youngsters here.

“Things are not same as they were earlier. After the tragedy, local boys have stopped playing cricket. Craze for the game has vanished,” said Dillip Kumar Swain, a member of Utkalmani youth club. He added: “A memorial pillar has been erected in the heart of the village to pay homage to the departed souls. The names of the late cricketers are inscribed on it. Two cricket bats are installed aloft the pillar”.

The memorial was built a couple of years ago with voluntary contribution of the local residents.

“After the mishap, people’s interest in cricket has waned considerably. Cricket tournament are not organised here anymore. The tragedy in a way has stamped its stigma on the game,” said Rashmi Ranjan Khatua, a local youth and an ex-cricketer of the village team.

“The team was on its way to Pitapata village in Kendrapara district’s Mahakalpada tehsil when the boat carrying the cricketers got caught in strong current and capsized. Twenty-two persons had boarded the ill-fated boat. The team included 15 players and seven other cricket enthusiasts,” said Gyanbit Swain, a local resident while recalling the sequence of events.

“The World Cup matches bring back the memories of the late cricketers. It saddens us deeply,” he said.

“I lost my son to cricket. He was the captain of the village team. Nightmare of the tragedy continues to haunt me every time I see boys playing cricket,” said Jayaram Parida whose son Pradeep Parida led the ill-fated cricketing mission that floundered on Mahanadi waters.