Disability fails to dampen Sirmaur youth’s passion for cricket

Pankaj Sharma

Nahan, January 19

Often one sees exemplary performances by differently abled players, who become a source of inspiration for others. Shubham Sharma, hailing from the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district, is one such youth whose passion for cricket has failed to fade even after losing one hand.

He is showing his talent by participating in village cricket competitions. He holds a distinct identity among the cricket players of this area for perfectly spinning the ball and being the “run machine” in village tournaments.

Shubham, who belongs to Sidhoti village of Ronhat, had an accident 10 months ago that left one of his hands amputated. Though this frustrated him, he did not let this incident disappoint him. Even with one hand, he has been trying to do all the work that ordinary people can accomplish. He also did not let his passion for cricket wither away and continued participation in competitions.

The 23-year-old still makes the ball run to the boundary with ease. His family members say he lends his hand in all household chores and is also studying. Notwithstanding the limitations, he has made a mark as an excellent player in cricket competitions being held in the rural areas. His teammates say he performed brilliantly in cricket tournaments held recently.

Though he has not been able to play in big tournaments, he is inspiring youngsters to face every challenge in life. “We should face the challenges with determination and not let trouble dominate us,” says Shubham. “Even the biggest difficulties can be overcome with persistent efforts. Sports not only keeps a person’s body healthy but also gives mental stability,” believes Subham.