Coach Zak makes cricket child's play<\/p>\n
As a fresh graduate in agricultural studies, Zakarya \"Zak\" M.
\nAwang returned from Bali to his hometown of Kupang, East Nusa
\nTenggara, in 1998 expecting to start his own business.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, a lack of capital left him thinking of new ways
\nto make a living. And, as with so many things in life which fail
\nto stick to the prescribed script, Zakarya eventually found
\nhimself in a new career.<\/p>\n
It proved to be a whole new ball game.<\/p>\n
A friend introduced him to cricket, a sport he knew next to
\nnothing about, and he quickly found it to his liking.<\/p>\n
\"I saw that it was very competitive and also sporting, and you
\nhave to think a lot on the field. Playing cricket provides its
\nown sense of satisfaction,\" said Zak, 34.<\/p>\n
He came under the wing of Bruce Christie, an Australian
\nexpatriate based in Kupang. The latter, now back in his homeland,
\nis widely credited with promoting the sport's expansion in Kupang
\nand Bali as he endeavored to teach his son about cricket.<\/p>\n
With the establishment of the Indonesian Cricket Foundation
\n(JCF) in 2000, with the aim of promoting the sport among
\nIndonesians and producing competitive teams, Zak found a job as
\none of the country's first local coaches.<\/p>\n
Currently based in Bogor, he visits schools every day to teach
\nchildren and their teachers about the game.<\/p>\n
\"It's a new sport, and youngsters really enjoy it. It's easily
\nunderstood by them,\" said Zak, who added that he was indebted to
\nthe various people who have sponsored his career.<\/p>\n
He believes that Indonesians will eventually figure
\nprominently in international arenas.<\/p>\n
\"We already have a strong under-15 team in Bali,\" he said. \"It
\ncould take five or 15 years, but I think one day we will produce
\nsome top players. -- Bruce Emond<\/p>",
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