Coach Zak makes cricket child's play

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