Cricket gaining popularity in Canada thanks to a Sri Lankan

Cricket gaining popularity in Canada thanks to a Sri Lankan: Cricket is yet to make a major impact in Canada but the efforts of one man have not gone unnoticed in the city of Lethbridge, more renowned for the University of Lethbridge which is one of Canada’s most influential research universities.

As reported by Global News, Canada, a 28-year-old Harsha Bandara moved to the city two years ago to do his masters of Kinesiology at the university. Bandara a Sri Lankan native said, “I didn’t have any plans coming here, I just wanted to get my education done.” However, he ended up doing a lot more than just school.

He continued, “When I first met my supervisor, I asked him if there was a cricket club here and he said, ‘Sorry Harsha, nothing here.’” Bandara took it upon himself to change the situation and in the summer of 2014 created the city’s first-ever cricket team, the Lethbridge & Area Cricket Association. Many players on the team are immigrants like him who’ve been playing the sport since they were children.

“People here start playing hockey when you are so young, so that’s exactly what we do back home, play cricket,” Bandara said. “We go out on the street and just play cricket so it’s something we grew up with, something in our blood.”

Sport gives many players a sense of home and also allows them to meet people in their new home.

“I came new to Lethbridge and I didn’t know anyone at all,” said teammate Joel Bhasky. “Then I got an email from Harsha saying, ‘Hey you’re Sri Lankan, do you want to play cricket?’ I ended up playing and I actually made best of friends.”

“It has been fantastic,” added new player Dustin Burt. “It has been getting bigger. We’re seeing more and more new faces, recently including myself.”

For Bandara, the experience means more than just playing cricket. He said, “To see these guys having fun together and having a good time, that gives me the satisfaction that I actually managed to accomplish something thing. It feels good”.

His efforts have been well recognized. Lethbridge Family Services recently honored Bandara with a sports achievement award at the Immigrant Achievement Award in early October.