-Priya S Tandon
It seems all of Chandigarh is playing Gully cricket. The ongoing Gully Cricket tournament organised by UT Cricket Association, sponsored by Allengers, Tynor etc. has hoardings dotting the horizon of the city. I was privileged to attend the launching ceremony by the then Governor of Punjab and UT Administrator, on July 26, 2024.
Gully Cricket-1 happened in April 2023, with 2448 players participating through 202 teams. The UTCA and the Chandigarh Police are doing a yeoman’s job in Gully Cricket-2 by equipping 3624 children to play through 256 boys’ teams and 46 girls’ teams.
Children of the gullys play with innocuous rules like, “Mera bat, meri batting, hedge tak chauka, gate ke paar chakka, side wali aunty ka window toota to tu game se bahar…”
For such children to get the opportunity to wear the much coveted blue dress and step into the hallowed precincts of a real stadium is a heart-pounding, jaw-dropping dream come true.
UTCA is encouraging cricket by giving incentives like clothes, shoes, playing kits for each team that registers. Any group of 12 players aged 14-18 can register at their local Police beat box. There are10 grounds and 4 stadiums in the tri-city where knock-out matches are being held. Flash mob cricket events are being done to engage localities in public places. Cricketers like Manan Vohra, Kashvee Gautam are participating in these to popularize the tournament.
When children from the gullys get to dress like India’s ‘men in blue’, they feel transformed into Tendulkar or Virat Kohli. Every sportsperson isn’t destined to play the nationals but sports surely enthral and ensure fitness. And besides cricket, there is more to this initiative … the Nasha Mukti Abhiyan of the Social Welfare Department, Chandigarh is administering an oath to all players that they shall never take drugs. The gully cricket anthem says, “No drugs for me ever, life is a beautiful treasure …”
Are only the youngsters having fun? Exhibition matches are being held amongst high profile teams too. The High Court Judges team lost to the Bar Association. The match had a nail biting finish wherein the lawyers needed 1 run off the last ball and they got it! The DGP Haryana XI won against DGP Punjab XI. The Artists XI vanquished the Press XI in the spirit of sportsmanship!
Cricket is like a religion in our country. It is beyond caste, community or gender. It promotes comraderies and patriotism. Chandigarh has caught the cricket fever that has gripped the city in the monsoon. Children from the gullys and mohallas of Chandigarh are playing the game in awareness of the slogan of ‘Balla Ghumao, Nasha Bhagao’. Yes, playing for sheer fun and getting rid of the vices at the same time! A sound body, houses a sound mind.
UTCA’s Gully Cricket-1 was recognized by the India Book of Records. Gully Cricket-2 has upgraded them to finding a mention in the Asia Book of Records. Sanjay Tandon, President UTCA, is eyeing the Guinness Book of Records for UTCA-3. Perhaps this can be the next thing BCCI takes up on a national level. Saying ‘No to Drugs’ and ‘Yes to Cricket’, wow!
