Cricket is the sport followed by many in the country. The sport has grown such a way that it is regarded as a religion in our Country. Every child is seen playing the game with a ball and bat along with his friends in the streets of every town and village in India. Most of them dream of pursuing the sport in a professional level and to represent the country in International level.

Today, women’s cricket in India is gaining momentum and the current Indian Women’s Cricket Team is regarded to be one of the strongest in the world. With players like Julan Goswamy , Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra and others having made a mark in cricket world, every young girl now dreams of donning the Indian colours. One such talent is M. Sowmya Naik.

Having started to play cricket at a young age, Sowmya travelled from Mysore to Bangalore to attend coaching classes. Though, the family’s economic status being poor, Sowmya’s father M. Mahadev bought her a cricket kit to encourage her interest in cricket. Unfortunately, Mahadev died owing to illness, but not before his encouraging words asking Sowmya to work hard towards her goal to play for the country.

Initially, Sowmya went around Bangalore visiting various cricket academies with a willingness to learn the sport. Later, she found out that Kapil Cricket Academy located at Rajajinagar in Bangalore catered to women cricket and approached the academy. Observing her interest in the sport, the academy took her and nurtured her talent.

During one of matches played in Hyderabad against Chennai, she was noticed by the members of Amateur Federation of India of Gujarat and was invited to join their cricket academy in 2012. She was also made the captain of the U-22 team and since then she has been performing well.

Sowmya has already played against Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka including six T20 matches. She was also adjudged the Women of the Match, Best Bowler and Best Batswoman of the tournaments held at Nepal and Bhutan. Sowmya has also shown her skills behind the stumps as a wicket keeper. Currently being trained under B.D. Verma, General Secretary, Amateur Cricket Federation of India, Gujarat.

Sowmya, speaking to Star of Mysore, expressed her desire to start a women’s cricket academy in Mysore and also to coach the girls. She mentioned that a coaching camp had been started at Raghavendranagar in city.

Sowmya said that she would seek permission from Karnataka Exhibition Authority to conduct coaching classes for girls at Dasara Exhibition Grounds.

She also expressed of reaching greater heights on being given a sponsorship. Such a talent from city must be encouraged and city’s philanthropists must come forward to help Sowmya in her endeavour to scale up her professional cricketing career.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com/ Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / by M. T. Yogesh Kumar / July 01st, 2014