India should take Cricket Diplomacy to Burma

I have always said that sports is the best form of Diplomacy. If you talk about Cricket you can strongly relate it to two places – the founder England, and an area where Cricket is Religion – South Asia.

England no doubt took Cricket to most places in the world and they presently have a strong legacy for the game, but it is the South Asians that have brought in the passion. It is here, where the cricketers are considered as demi – god. South Asians have migrated, immigrated, emigrated to all corners of the World, be it Spanish speaking South America or Europe. These people might have left their countries but their love for the game stays. An NRI (Non Resident Indians) or his counterparts from Pakistan or Bangladesh would stay up nights so that they can see their super stars playing cricket.

Let’s go back into the past a little. Till the 80′s the two nations from South Asia that played cricket were India and Pakistan. Seeing the passion in a India Pakistan games inspired many in other South Asian countries to take up the game. Sri Lanka, who also had a strong cricket culture, with support from India also soon became a “Test Team” and a cricket force.

Then it was the turn of Bangladesh. The World Cup coming to South Asia inspired many Bangladeshi’s and many had a wish to see their team play in the World Cup. Their wish came true in the 1999 World Cup and soon they also reached the top flight and became a Test Nation.

Now this cricket flavor also took over two more South Asian countries – Afghanistan & Nepal. So much is the passion in these countries that when they had domestic team and U-19 teams playing, the grounds were filled with thousands of people. The Afghan’s picked up the game in the refugee camps in Pakistan and inspired by Imran Khan (Who is a Pashtun, the Biggest ethnic group of Afghanistan) and his 1992 World Cup, made it to the World Twenty20 this year.

Nepal picked the game from many Indians who worked in Nepal and the advent of Cable TV back in the country. Nepal is still a growth story and will not be surprised if they are counted among the top associate in 2015.

The other two smaller nations of South Asia are Maldives and Bhutan. Despite the small populations, these two countries have also punched much above their weight in cricket.

Cricket diplomacy has worked for South Asia. Most recently the World Cup semi finals in Mohali between India and Pakistan broke some ice between nations and the two prime ministers watched the match. In 1988, Zia Ul Haq flew to Jaipur to watch a match and is known to have averted a war between the two nations. During the BJP led NDA, both India and Pakistan toured each other and those were the best times as buses were started, fans traveled and were welcomed in the other country.

Myanmar, like most South Asian countries has been a part of British Empire. They played a First Class match against a Ceylon (Sri Lanka) team and had defeated them in the past. They also played first class matches against MCC during that time. It is rather surprising that cricket until now was non existent there.

The reason behind that was before independence the country came under the Japanese rule who encouraged the local Burmese to against everything British. Also cricket like in most places was played by the elite which was the British and Indians. The Burmese hated both the people and so cricket became a victim as sports of the Elite. After Independence everything British was shunned, the Indians were forced out hence all trace of cricket was gone. Also then the country went into isolation which brought any chance of resurgence.

It was after ICC went into expansion mode that Myanmar was included as an Affiliate Member and cricket made a resurgence in the country. A movie Bo Ba based on Lagan was popular across the country. The country has built first stadium outside Yangoon but still the game is limited to Yangoon.

Cricketers like Dhoni can help people of both nations come closer

Now the country opening up and all countries are trying to make inroads in this mineral rich territory. India, a very important neighbor, has historical links with Myanmar. It was the country which for many years supported the democracy movement. With China making inroads it started co-operation with the Military Junta. Now with both sides patched up India finds itself in good position.

Now to take things to the next steps, and reaching out to people, India needs use the powerful tool of sports. India needs to bring in coaches and reach out to the schools in the major cities of Yangoon and Mandalay. This will help introduce Cricket to children who through the sports will come to know a lot about Indians. Second to this India needs to bring in stars like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni to help spread diplomacy through cricket.

India also then needs to develop an infrastructure of Cricket in the major 2-3 cities and perhaps after cricket reaches to some knowledge level help set up the league. Talking with the government, India can use IPL and make inroads.

This is easier said than done, and a focused effort is required. However, India must understand that through cricket, India can bring people of both countries closer which will take relationship to next level. When hearts of people meet the rest of things follow soon. India has such an advantageous tool and should maximize it.

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