In a sporting world often fixated on the luminous glow of star athletes, the unheralded cricketing groundstaff, who labored tirelessly to keep the rain-plagued Asia Cup afloat, were promised a shared bonus of $50,000 by the event’s organizers this past Sunday.
The charismatic pace bowler, Mohammed Siraj, who orchestrated India’s decisive victory over Sri Lanka with a remarkable performance yielding figures of 6-21, securing India’s eighth Asia Cup triumph, expressed his commitment to donate his $5,000 man-of-the-match prize to those custodians of the pitches.
The Asia Cup, a 50-over precursor to the imminent One-Day International (ODI) World Cup, witnessed a substantial relocation of matches to Sri Lanka, following India’s refusal to embark on a tour of Pakistan amidst simmering political tensions. However, adverse weather conditions played the role of an unwelcome antagonist, disrupting and even prematurely terminating several encounters.
The salvation of this nearly three-week spectacle was attributed to a valiant corps of approximately 100 Sri Lankan groundstaff, clad in their distinctive orange attire, who sprinted onto the pitch with tireless dedication whenever rain threatened to disrupt play.
Fans, commentators, and players alike showered accolades upon these unsung heroes, acknowledging their pivotal role in ensuring the tournament’s continuity. President of the Asian Cricket Council, Jay Shah, took to the digital realm, formerly known as Twitter, to salute their unwavering commitment and diligent toil.
Mr. Shah, who concurrently holds the position of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief, proudly proclaimed that the Asian Cricket Council and Sri Lanka Cricket had jointly announced a well-earned prize purse of $50,000 for the devoted curators and groundsmen. This financial bounty, while intended to be distributed among numerous deserving recipients, will undoubtedly be a welcome relief in a nation that grappled with an economic downturn last year, precipitating severe scarcities of essential commodities such as food, fuel, and medicines, and saw the per capita GDP plummet to a meager $3,354.
Shah further lauded the groundstaff for their meticulous work, transforming the pitches into a canvas of perfection and maintaining lush outfields that set the stage for riveting cricketing spectacle. This recognition, he emphasized, underscores the indispensable role played by these unsung individuals in the success of the sport.
By AFP
