Youngsters return to nets

After months of inactivity, cricket academies in Dhaka have started to reopen. Players and coaches are returning to the practice nets, and getting back into their previous schedules.

Though there has been a drop in players' attendance, academies are trying their best to continue practice sessions regularly, all the while ensuring proper safety measures for all involved.

"Within a month of the lockdown, we tried to bring our players under a specific routine through an online programme. We provided them with tips and lessons on how to stay fit and keep working on their skills from home," said Md Zihad Hossain, a coach at Ankur Cricket Academy.

"The routine was kept simple enough for players to carry it out on their rooftops or garages. It was important for them to stay in touch with these lessons, so that they wouldn't face any difficulty when they came back to the nets."

"Safety is always our first priority, especially now," added Hossain. "We've taken all the necessary steps to ensure safety of the players during their three-hour long practice sessions here at the academy. We're also making sure they have their parents' consent before rejoining the academy."

Before reopening, the academies took cue from institutions around the world, to observe their policies.

"When international cricket made a comeback in July, we closely observed the going-ons and the new rules and guidelines that have been set," stated Md Abdul Mazid, coach and general secretary at Clemon Indira Road Cricket Academy.

"Taking necessary measures and safety precautions accordingly, we resumed operations on September 10, after being closed for over five months."

"Not everyone has returned to practice," adds Mazid. "So far, we've only seen the older kids join the practice, while the younger ones are still at home. Those who are showing up for practice are doing so for longer hours than before, probably because there isn't much educational pressure now."

Rezwan Khan Abir, a student of Bir Shreshtha Noor Mohammad Rifles Public School & College, has been practicing at Ankur Cricket Academy for eight years now. When the restrictions were imposed in March, he was saddened over the sudden halt in sporting activities.

"We were all heartbroken," recalled Abir. "We didn't know when we could return to practice again. At home, we were instructed to stay fit by following lesson plans set by our instructors."

After months of staying away from the game, Abir and many other academy players have begun playing again, and it seems they have a lot of catching up to do. "We have an upcoming tournament we're really looking forward to," added Abir.

"And although nothing is certain at this point, we can only pray and hope that cricket in this country gets back to normal," he said.