Oswald M. D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi - Jun 8: Perseverance, hard work, dedication, passion, consistency and focus will yield success in ones pursuit towards a goal. This exactly is the success story of an 18 year old Mangalorean lad Dan Savio D’ Souza – an emerging young cricketer based in Abu Dhabi who is the integral and key member of UAE’s Under 19 team.
Dan – the pride of Mangaloreans is a star by all standards and has created a niche for himself in the cricketing world.
Dan has been in the news since past several years, but his latest achievement being the Player of the of Series of Asian Cricketing Council’s (ACC) Under 19 Elite cricketing tournament held in Malaysia brought him to lime light exposing his immense talents.
18 year old Dan, is the only proud son of Rudolf and Marina D’ Souza, hailing from Bejai, Mangalore, currently based in Abu Dhabi. He was born and groomed in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, who developed interest towards the game at a very young age.
The support and encouragement from his parents, schools and well wishers has transformed him into an outstanding class cricketer. He has been shining on the UAE cricket scene since past years and has travelled along with UAE’s young cricketers to several parts of the world. He has been part and key member of his school, club as well as other teams in the UAE and has also played against several visiting teams from abroad.
Dan, basically a soft spoken publicity shy lad is so humble and does not want to exaggerate his achievements. He is currently the student of British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi studying in Grade 13.
Dan’s journey as cricketer started at a young age of 3, where he was enthusiastic to don cricket gear on himself and watch attentively cricket on TV as well as on the field. Noticing his interest towards cricket, his parents, particularly his father, a cricket enthusiast himself, enrolled him into Abu Dhabi’s prestigious Zayed Cricket academy to pursue his interest. He started his coaching at the Academy in 2006 at the age of 12.
Since then, there was no looking back and no stopping him. He started as wicket keeper batsman and then concentrated himself to batting and right hand spin bowling and has turned out to be a classy All Rounder. He has captained the Under 13s, Under 16s and currently Under 19s at the Club Level playing numerous tournaments against junior age groups and open age tournaments in the UAE.
In his pursuit he has toured Bangalore (2008), and Mumbai (2009) to play Max Talent tournaments for cricket tours gaining vital experience in 2008/2009.
He also has toured Thailand for the UAE as a 16 year old for the U19 Elite tournament in 2011 and his second tour for the UAE team was to Malaysia in 2013 Under19 Elite Cup and was adjudged as the player of the Tournament (Series) as well as Man of the Match in 3 consecutive matches against Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and Nepal – a great achievement indeed.
During his career as a cricketer he has been bestowed with numerous honors including :
Player of the tournament, ACC Under19 Elite cup Malaysia 2013
Zayed Cricket Academy most promising player of the year 2007-2008
Abu Dhabi inter school best batsman 2010 – 2011
British School Al Khubairat Senior player of the year 2011-2012
Nissan Gulf Cup Most promising player of the tournament 2007-2008
After a credible performance at the Asian Cricket Council Under-19 Elite Cup at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Player of the Tournament Dan feels certain the UAE can give stronger teams a tough time in the U-19 ICC World Cup next year (2014) to be held in the UAE.
The UAE will be hosting the mega event in February 2014 and despite having lost in the final against Afghanistan in Malaysia, and being runners up they still qualify as host nation.“The recent tournament has given us remarkable confidence and most importantly self-belief that we can face any superior teams,” says Dan.
“We are working on the areas we have to concentrate and focus on our minus points to face our new challenges. We are happy that we have performed well in Malaysia and had ample opportunity to judge our opponents and expose our talents and face bravely the opposite teams as challenge” he says. Dan is beaming with confidence after his stellar performance at the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) Elite Cup, which comprised of Asia’s cricket Under 19 playing nations. “Now we know the areas we have to work and focus on. “We have done well in Malaysia and that gave us a chance to test ourselves and get to know where we stand,” he adds.
The UAE showed lot of character losing only to Afghanistan in group stage and then in final. Dan was exceptional with both ball and bat that earned him player of the tournament award. “It was a good feeling. It was a big tournament which had lot of good players and being the best among them makes you feel great. It was disappointing to lose out in the final after having done so well throughout the tournament. But we chose to take the positives from it and work harder for the bigger task we have next year,” says the 18-year-old student of British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
Dan scored a total of 299 runs in the tournament with the highest being 79 against Hong Kong. He also bagged a total of nine wickets with the best coming against Nepal in the semi-finals where he claimed four. His vital 171-run partnership with Shorye Chopra, against Nepal, was another highlight.
“I rate the innings I played against Hong Kong among the best. Our team needed me and I was happy to live up to the expectations. My teammates also played around me which was a great support,” said Dan, a product of the Zayed Cricket Academy – Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The performance in Malaysia was good despite not having their full squad as some of their players could not make the trip because of schedule conflicts with school exams.
They were no match for Afghanistan, though. In fact, none of the teams were when playing against a side - the UAE coach Aaqib Javed described as "full-time cricketers".
But the UAE proved they were worthy of being in the ICC Under19 World Cup, which they host next year, and have given Aaqib something to work with.
With the achievement in Malaysia, Dan says “It was more of a psychological sort of a thing. We were better prepared but probably the pressure of playing against Afghanistan took its toll. But we have taken note of our weak areas and we have to concentrate and work hard on and we will try surely to overcome them,” he said referring to the loss in the final.
"To play six games in eight days under the humid weather in Kuala Lumpur was really taxing, but this experience provided all of us to realize how much we need to prepare, both physically and mentally. "And apart from the matches against Afghanistan, I think we did pretty well, particularly against Nepal, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia."
The UAE have another eight months to prepare for the World Cup and Dan feels the team has the quality to stage some big upsets.
“We are confident of putting a good show. We can pull off some upsets since we have a good team. We have eight to nine months with us and we will train hard for it,” he said, thanking UAE Under19 Coach Aaqib Javed’s efforts and important role to the success. “He has a lot of confidence in us. He gave us more responsibilities since he knew we were capable. Putting that belief in us itself plays a huge role,” he adds.
Dan is full of confidence and says that he would continue performing to the best of his potential and make it to the senior team some day. “My goal is to represent my country and obviously we have the big tournament – ICC’s Under 19 World Cup early next year hosted by UAE. That will be my immediate focus but I would love to play for the senior national team one day,” he says.
His coaches at Zayed Cricket Academy (ZCA) rate him as one of their best batsmen and Dan has sort of lived up to that billing.
"I try and keep working hard and follow the advice of the UAE coaches as well as my coaches at ZCA," says Dan, who went on a cricket scholarship camp to Sussex two years back. "It was a great experience, coping with different conditions, the swinging ball and the bowling machines”.
"He is not only a solid batsman but a good wicketkeeper. He is cool, calm and technically competent," says Dan's coach at the Zayed Cricket Academy.
“I am delighted that Dan has been rewarded for his cricketing progress and his outstanding season as captain, wicket-keeper, off-spin bowler and batsman for BSAK,” said Colin Wells, Director of Cricket at the British School Al Khubairat Abu Dhabi. “He has thoroughly deserved his selection through his approach to the game and his execution of skills. His contribution will be missed next season but will give several players the opportunity to impress equally.”
“No-one who has watched Dan play this season will be surprised at his fine all round display in this international tournament,” commented Colin Wells, Director of Cricket at BSAK. “He has coupled his considerable ability with a very strong work ethic which will always prove to be a winning combination. Equally he is always willing to listen to advice and implement it where agreed and applicable. I am very pleased that he is reaping the rewards he deserves. His performance in this tournament has been nothing short of outstanding. He has done BSAK proud, and I hope this is a platform for him to go on to greater things such as a full UAE International selection in a recognised competition, and the British Combined Universities side.” adds Colin Wells.
Dan believes the tournament has been ideal preparation for next year's World Cup, where they will face the 10 full-member nations and winners of the five affiliated members across the five continents in the 16-team event.
Dan has been a role model for budding young cricketers who leads by example.
Following is the excerpts of a brief conversation with Daijiworld and Dan – the cricketer.
1. When did u start to play cricket?
I started playing cricket at the age of 3 (Three).
2. Who motivated you to play cricket initially?
It was my own passion towards the game and it improved gradually.
3. How do you balance your academic life and cricket?
It's bit difficult to balance both. My teachers encourage and help me to cope with the lessons missed during matches. Coaches assist me in my fitness.
4. Do you have your parental support and encouragement?
Yes very much. My parents always render their wholehearted support and encouragement.
5. Where you are being trained? Which academy?
I am trained at Shaikh Zayed Academy in Abu Dhabi and at my School – The British school Al Khubairat.
6. Who has been coaching u all these years?
In the Academy - Kaif Ghauri, Yogesh, Sandeep Dhuri,
In school - Collin Wells and Aqib Javed (U19 UAE team).
7. Do you have the support of your school?
Yes. I have full support from the school Management. Especially the School Principal – Mr. Paul Coackley, teachers and the Coach Mr. Collin Wells of The British School Al Khubairat Abu Dhabi.
8. What are the major tournaments you have played?
To mention a few major one’s - Gulf tournament, UAE Exchange trophy, Arch Trophy, U 19 ACC tournament 2011. We don’t play tournament at school level.. Its always playing with touring cricket teams from UK.
9. Do you play cricket in the school?
Yes, mostly coaching as the matches are always held in outside grounds like Emirates Palace, Zayed Academy grounds, or different venues in Dubai when playing against other schools.
10. Who is your idol in cricket?
Virat Kohli
11. How do you feel to be declared as the Man of the series in the last ACC tournament held at Kuala Lampur
Very satisfying that lot of hard work put in is paid off.
12. What is your experience playing with international cricketers?
They are of good standard and it is very competitive and satisfying when you do well against them.
13. What is your ultimate objective?
Will wait and see, I take everything as it comes my way and don't plan much about the future.
14. How do u feel to participate in the ICC under 19 tournament to be held next year and to be the part of the UAE Team?
I still have to wait and see if I can make it to the final squad for which I'm doing my best by keeping fit and rigorous training.
15. What role u have played so far and enjoy most – is it as a batsmen / as bowler / wicket keeper and which part do u enjoy the most?
Batting all-rounder – I enjoy batsman's role.
16. What are your other hobbies?
My other hobbies are fishing, playing football, basket ball and table tennis and also watching /reading sports events.
17. What is your ambition in life apart from cricket?
To pursue my education side by side.
18. What do u want to pursue in life?
I haven't thought much about my future yet. I take every opportunity as it comes and try to do my best.
19. What do you feel regarding recent scams and match or spot fixing? Do u feel hurt ? what is your opinion, will it deter you from playing cricket as a sport?
It doesn’t influence me nor does it demotivates me in any way.
20. How do you fair in your academics/studies and how do u manage?
I fare quite well in academics and manage my studies by planning my time well in advance.
During a recently held public felicitation Dan Acknowledged and thanked his parents, the Academy, his School and large number of well wishers for their prayers, support and encouragement.