Panaji: Sandeep Dhuri’s life is an inspirational story of progress as the Goan cricketer has matured into a successful coach after calling time on his playing career in far away United Arab Emirates, and is now helping the sport grow in Asia!
In the nascent stages of First Class cricket in Goa, the sport was not a lucrative proposition at all; given that the cricketer’s career was considered to be short. Hence, a young Sandeep Dhuri packed his bags for Abu Dhabi when he was 23 years old and an important all-rounder of Goa Ranji Trophy team .
“When I grabbed the opportunity to go there, I could play cricket as well as secure a job. So, both the needs were fulfilled. Moreover, the cricket was very competitive too on account of a lot of good Pakistani players coming there to play. I played in the A Division and we had a pretty strong team in the UAE league as many of us were First Class cricketers,” Sandeep, who also went on to play for the UAE national team, told www.thegoancricketer.com
After hanging up his boots, Sandeep took to coaching. Progress with coaching education followed with him upgrading the knowledge by pursuing the Level 1,2 and 3 certifications under Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
Currently, the Goan is playing a dual role of being head coach of Zayed Cricket Academy (ZCA) for senior boys and head coach of Abu Dhabi men’s team. At the academy with almost 300 trainees ranging from five-year-olds to 19s, infrastructure including the international cricket stadium, turf practice pitches, centre wicket practice, opportunity for young cricketers to practice with international players, optimum technologies among the facilities; Sandeep is proud to be working at the best academy in the UAE.
Looking back, the experienced coach describes the times as a player as being all about ‘enjoying the playing career’. “But as a coach, you love giving the knowledge, feedback and guide players to become better cricketers” explains Sandeep who masterminded the ZCA U-16, U-19 and AD Men team’s success in the Inter-Emirates tournaments in the 2022-23 season.
Also being a Level 3 ACC coach and ICC Level 2 Master Educator for Asia, as the International Cricket Council endeavours to promote the sport across the continents by enhancing the development of coaches and tutors across all the regions; Sandeep is pleased to lend his expertise for the global development of the sport that has given him fulfilment.
“We conducted three programmes last year. We trained the Level 1 tutors for the Oman Cricket Association, another for the whole Asian continent where 14 countries participated for Level 1 tutor and one training programme for UAE to promote coaches here,” disclosed Sandeep, who added that a lot of Level 2 programmes will be coming up this year.
When asked how he views this responsibility to train the tutors who in turn will guide the coaches in different countries thus developing the cricketing landscape in the new centres for the sport, Sandeep asserted: “It’s a great opportunity to travel to different countries, understand how cricket is played there, certify quality tutors who in turn can identity better coaches to create quality cricketers.”
Goa is where the home is and ultimately the feeling of giving back to the sport, is kicking in. The 56-year-old Sandeep is open to taking up coaching role in his home state. “With so many years of playing experience and the coaching career, I will be happy to train Under-16 or U-19 teams of Goa. If I get a chance to coach the Ranji Trophy team, I will take it with both hands,” wishes Sandeep, who is currently at his home in Panaji on vacations.
