Patna,(BiharTimes):  An International sporting exchange scheme, run by a group of young professionals in the UK, has been bringing young, talented Indian cricketers from a range of socio-economic backgrounds to the UK in order to enhance their social and cricketing development.

The scheme is the brainchild of former England Universities wicket-keeper batsman and surgeon, Dr Samir Pathak (originally from Bihar), and John Wilson, a teacher at Cheadle Hulme School in Manchester.

When asked about the scheme Dr Pathak said: “The purpose of this scheme is multi-faceted. The young Indian cricketers benefit via exposure to different cricketing approaches and from playing and practicing in English conditions against a variety of opponents. More importantly, the boys are exposed to different cultures and life experiences which, combined with their cricketing experience, should hold them in good stead for their future endeavours.”

“What makes our scheme different is that we are offering opportunities for these talented boys to experience more than the just the opportunity to play cricket abroad.  Whilst they are in the UK they attend academic classes and are also expected to contribute to family life with their host families. We believe that education combined with cricket will empower these youngsters to fulfil their potential.”

Dr Pathak further said: “We are proud that some of the boys we have helped are now starting to progress within the Indian national cricket set-up and that we are making tangible differences to these boys lives away from the cricket field.”

Prithvi Shaw is the first youngster to benefit from this scheme. Prithvi attended Cheadle Hulme School on the recommendation of former Indian cricketer, Nilesh Kulkarni.

Another record-breaking young Mumbai batsman, Sarfaraz Khan also benefited from Dr Pathak’s guidance.

 Khan, one of the four young cricketers to benefit from the scheme in 2012 has already made his place in the India-U19 side. At present he is just 16 and has returned from the UK.

 Dr Pathak added “Both Prithvi and Sarfaraz adapted very well to what was an unusually wet summer in 2012. The benefits they gained from their trip are there for all to see with Sarfaraz putting in match winning performances for India U-19 and Prithvi scoring such a mountain of runs. The potential both boys have is obvious. I hope that they do justice to their talents by maintaining discipline and humility and working hard. Both are only at the start of their jouney currently and there are many mountains to climb.”

The initial success resulted in collaboration with Merchant Taylors School, one of the     UK’s top 10 independent schools. They have since hosted three young cricketers whose development has been under the watchful eye of former Somerset opening batsman, Tom Webley.

 Former Indian skipper Dilip Vengsarkar sent a young cricketer to the UK in 2013 and was impressed with the impact the scheme had. Vengsarkar will send another  Mumbai youngster next year. Ravichandaran Ashwin, will also send one cricketer to the UK under the mentorship of Dr Pathak, from his academy in Chennai next year.
Former Indian wicket-keeper, Saba Karim, (also originally from Bihar) is another former cricketer who has been instrumental in driving the initiative forward.

 The scheme has subsequently led to the evolution of a charity called IOSHA. Dr Pathak  and his fellow co-founder Robert Haxby will provide the financial and educational platform to deliver a successful blueprint for aspiring, young cricketers from all socio economic backgrounds. The charity focuses on all levels of the game, developing a player’s skill sets to help them strive to succeed in all aspects of life, for future generations to come.