Desi Dialogues

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My son, Jahan, like most South Asian kids, is crazy about cricket. With my brother staying up nights watching the game and an uncle refereeing it, the chances of escaping cricket in our family are remote.

While warm countries such as India or Pakistan are still the best places to play cricket, primarily due to the weather, Toronto is fast becoming the place to play.

If you Google cricket and Toronto, you'll find hundreds of clubs in the GTA.

I enrolled Jahan in a cricket club some years back, and he is still thankful. The reason is very much the same for him as it is for many youngsters who played cricket in countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Trinidad, England and Jamaica. The game connects them to their hometown.

School principals, teachers and coaches say that this is one game that gives newcomers an identity. In fact, children who have been shy or reserved have come out of their shells when they've learned they can play the game in Canada.

Even amongst people who don't know much about it, cricket has become more popular because many see it as a non-violent game. One student told me he likes playing cricket because unlike football, rugby or even hockey, there isn't pushing, pulling or cussing in the game. Cricket is still called the gentleman's game.

Cricket players are dedicated. Many established clubs rent space indoors to continue the game when the cold weather strikes. And dedicated players, even in - 40 C weather, travel far and wide to attend these classes in hopes they can advance to higher levels and reach their ultimate goal to play for Canada.

And I have seen this dedication. No matter if it was snowing outside or if he had to get up at 6 a.m., Jahan would get up for his cricket practice. In fact this summer, I knew his dedication had reached a completely new level when one day, at 4.30 a.m., I heard him gently open his bedroom door, tiptoe down to the family room and switch on the TV to catch the England-India cricket finals.