A late afternoon of cricket was enjoyed last year at Nechako Valley Secondary School. (Photo submitted)

Cricket gains attention in Vanderhoof

Popular overseas sports played locally since 2019

  • May. 20, 2021 12:00 a.m.

Cricket often brings back fond memories of India for Ash Talwar.

The Vanderhoof resident has been making time between his business THF Cleaning Services and job at Work BC to play the bat-and-ball game over the weekends at Nechako Valley Secondary School (NVSS).

“Being Indian, I think it’s in your blood, so I always play cricket not professionally but on a local level,” Talwar said.

“It was good to be able to do that in Vanderhoof because it brings people together.”

Talwar arrived to Canada in 2012 where he lived in Windsor, Ont. before moving to Vanderhoof in 2014.

It was about two years ago when cricket players Joble and Tibin were able to organize the sport in Vanderhoof.

“It took us a while getting to know folks that wanted to play,” Talwar said.

Since then, the small group continues to meet at NVSS to play cricket, which often attracts some local spectators.

T-shirts and a brand new cricket kit from Vancouver were recently purchased after Talwar’s company, along with Van Dolah Enterprises and Boon Bros. Construction, each donated $500.

Most players like Talwar have more than one job, and earlier this month, they also did a pickup of the litter around NVSS grounds.

“Once these COVID-19 protocols get loosened up, we would be happy to welcome some new individuals and even the kids too if they want to join us and play,” Talwar said.

“It would be great that we could just do that with the local community.”


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