Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest philanthropists of the world, once said that sport has the power to change the world through its ability promote integration. In this context, the Jakarta Cricket Association (JCA) brings people of all nationalities, backgrounds and religions through a passion for the great cricket game.
Including about 16 teams, the JCA has collected sports fans from Indonesia, Australia, the United Kingdom, India, the Netherlands, South Africa and various other places in the world. In turn, JCA players embrace life in a multicultural society.
Experts believe cricket was created during Saxon or Norman times by children living in the Weald, an area of dense forests and clearings in south-east England. There are more than a century, the national cricket team of England has been enriched by players of immigrants from countries, including Zimbabwe, Barbados, Guyana, Ireland, India, Jamaica and Kenya. These players are from different backgrounds; some are born expatriate parents, others were students, qualifications acquired through residency, and some just came to play.
In Indonesia, the cricket was introduced in colonial times, when Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company served as lieutenant governor of Java, based in Batavia (Jakarta) 1811-1816. Despite the lack of evidence suggesting the Raffles role in this field, cricket was actually played 18 years after the English found the settlement of Singapore in 1819, when the game was played in Padang.
In the 1880s, cricket was played in Indonesia when the Batavia Cricket Club faced a circus team visit to Jakarta, who decided to join the game dressed in clown and lost ceremony. JCA was established sometime in 1992, when the league organized games and friendly tourism teams, which later inspired other regions such as Bali to form a similar association.
Today, the JCA has assembled a "diverse group still high quality people," as one of the group members, Ben Burgess met. "We play competitive cricket field and enjoy the company of others outside. We have a very friendly atmosphere, "he said.
For Burgess, playing cricket allows him to meet and socialize with a group like the minds of people.
He further added that the league intends to invite other people from different countries and backgrounds to get the full experience of playing cricket in Indonesia.
The JCA has over 300 registered players and potential players must go through a selection process. "The selection process is generally based on merit, but given the transient nature expatriates in Jakarta and work commitments, the team will never be composed of the same 11 players in a match to another" , said Burgess.
Burgess himself is a member of a club called the Barbarians Jakarta. Founded in 2012, the barbarians not only play games on the field, but also organize activities such as celebrations after the match / commiseration, brunch with family members, and visits abroad, he considers his most memorable experience of being in the club.
" barbarians went round Ho Chi Minh City, Manila and Bangkok in recent seasons, although the field results have been less impressive than prosecution-over "admits Burgess.
Burgess believes the club has come a long way since his arrival, shortly after he participated in a victory. "It is a good memory for me because it was the first victory of the club, and was directed by chasing a respectable of 189 points in 31 overs," said Burgess.
members of Jakarta Cricket Association playing cricket
Since then, the club has won more victories, including one on the entire league in 2014. the Barbarians have also become more organized, thanks the contribution of the family. Meals are often supported by the WAG (wives and girlfriends) quota, finances are kept on spreadsheets, and team members are controlled and limited to 11 players .
one of the most important advances that the club has done is the birth of their very own clubhouse, located above the Everest Bar in Blok M, which is generously stocked with souvenirs and commodities. with about 20 members, the Barbarians are the only club in Jakarta with such facilities.
According to Burgess, the league is getting stronger by the day. "Basically, participation in the league was expanding both the expatriate and local interest increased in recent years," he says. This, according to Burgess, is due to the result of several programs funded by the government and private initiatives for school children that help develop the league.
Aside from the normal schedule of matches, the JCA will tour to Hong Kong in October, where they will play at the Kowloon Cricket Club, a cricket in Asia.
JCA proves that sport is more than just a competition. And in this case, the historical references of cricket also remind us that a game can serve as a powerful language that unites people wherever they come.
If you are interested in participating, please visit http://jakartacricket.com for more information.