Dubai: Shyam Bhatia, a well known Dubai-based cricket lover, does not want to miss out on any memorable moment of the game. It’s this passion that has taken him round to most of the major venues around the world — the latest being a trip to Colombo to witness the retirement of Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene.
Speaking to Gulf News, Bhatia, who returned on Monday after presenting a memento to Jayawardene after the Colombo Test, said: “I was present at the farewell matches of [Mahela] Jayawardene, Jacques Kallis and Sachin Tendulkar for they are not only legends of the game but real gentlemen. I felt that I should be present and convey my thanks for the joy they have given me over watching some of their greatest performances.”
In the memento presented to Jayawardene, Bhatia wrote: “For a great gentleman and ambassador of this great game of cricket.
“I went for Kallis’ last match as I had mentioned to him personally that he is the greatest all-rounder after Gary Sobers and hence will be present when he plays his last knock,” said Bhatia, who also witnessed India’s historic win at the Lord’s Test in the just concluded series.
All these legends have returned industrialist Bhatia’s affection by gifting him an item from their cricket gear for his unique cricket museum. Incidentally, Kallis celebrated his last birthday at Bhatia’s museum by cutting a cake with his South African team colleagues who were here to play against Pakistan.
Bhatia’s love for the game is appreciated by all cricket boards around the world. Not only does he make sure to be present at some of the best matches but also gifts cricket gear to budding cricketers, especially the needy youngsters through his Cricket for Care Charity venture.
“I have presented gear to cricket boards of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan. In Japan, a regular tournament called Bhatia-Cooper Cup is being played regularly with the equipment that I presented to them. I also travelled to India’s Jaipur, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Rajkot to present the state board with cricket gear to be distributed among the poor.”
Bhatia has watched all the 50-over World Cup semi-final and final since 1975. “I have been lucky to join the celebrations of all the winning teams due to my personal rapport with some of the players,” said Bhatia, who has written a book Portraits of the Game based on his close interaction with the players.
“I have featured 84 greats of the game in the book and personally gifted them the book travelling to their countries. I have routed the revenue from the book for cricket charity,” said Bhatia, who encourages outstanding performers in UAE cricket through his annual awards on behalf of the Dubai Cricket Council.
