Coach Zak makes cricket child's play

As a fresh graduate in agricultural studies, Zakarya "Zak" M. Awang returned from Bali to his hometown of Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, in 1998 expecting to start his own business.

Unfortunately, a lack of capital left him thinking of new ways to make a living. And, as with so many things in life which fail to stick to the prescribed script, Zakarya eventually found himself in a new career.

It proved to be a whole new ball game.

A friend introduced him to cricket, a sport he knew next to nothing about, and he quickly found it to his liking.

"I saw that it was very competitive and also sporting, and you have to think a lot on the field. Playing cricket provides its own sense of satisfaction," said Zak, 34.

He came under the wing of Bruce Christie, an Australian expatriate based in Kupang. The latter, now back in his homeland, is widely credited with promoting the sport's expansion in Kupang and Bali as he endeavored to teach his son about cricket.

With the establishment of the Indonesian Cricket Foundation (JCF) in 2000, with the aim of promoting the sport among Indonesians and producing competitive teams, Zak found a job as one of the country's first local coaches.

Currently based in Bogor, he visits schools every day to teach children and their teachers about the game.

"It's a new sport, and youngsters really enjoy it. It's easily understood by them," said Zak, who added that he was indebted to the various people who have sponsored his career.

He believes that Indonesians will eventually figure prominently in international arenas.

"We already have a strong under-15 team in Bali," he said. "It could take five or 15 years, but I think one day we will produce some top players. -- Bruce Emond