Introducing cricket to a new country and audience

[atisha_ro]

They were discussing cricket in Romania, talked about the (very few) local clubs, then went on to mention a topic I started on a Romanian sports forum (with 3, maybe 4 participants, and me doing the bulk of the talking), then finally called me by name as a fan who's writing to them and has good knowledge about cricket.

Since I couldn't go to Bucharest to have a try at commentary (maybe next year during the T20 World Cup, I suppose they will broadcast it then too, these contracts rarely run over a single year - but this year there are major works in my house and couldn't leave), this is the next best thing, I guess. And I feel I deserved it after all the preaching to the walls I had done since two years ago, this thread being a good document to that.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Good on ya, Atisha. Its always pleasing to see one man make a difference on such an issue. Hopefully we'll be able to see/hear some of your commentary on You Tube in years to come.

 

[atisha_ro]

Tho' you won't understand a word Thank you.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Tho' you won't understand a word Thank you.

Indeed. I might be able to pick out "Atisha" and maybe "Bucharest" but other than that, I'd be struggling.

 

[atisha_ro]

Atisha is the screen name (from a buddhist master called such), my actual name is Vasile. Still, thank you again

(I should have waited for Richard to tell you that, shame on me.)

 

[Richard]

You've gotten the hang of this place pretty well for such a sporadic poster.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

(I should have waited for Richard to tell you that, shame on me.)

Brilliant. I missed this the first time around. I'm afraid to say, you may have a bit too much character to make it as a main-stream commentator with this sort of penchant for humour!

 

[atisha_ro]

So, folks, all in all the first cricketing TV experience in Romania with local commentary was a success. During and after the final quite a few people landed on my blog with cricket-related google searches. The rugby commentators mentioned cricket a few times during the IRB Nations Cup games of our national team. There's talking, there's that buzz to build on.

All those who ridiculed Eurosport's effort to bring cricket to new countries and audiences should check their words again. Yes it's Twenty20, but it's cricket, and quality cricket at that.

Now if only some station would build on that and show at least half an hour of Ashes highlights per day, that would be something. Even if I'm not sure there will be highlights to show on certain days, given the English weather.

 

[Kensashi]

Twenty20 is the ideal vehicle to get people into cricket, IMO.

Thank you for your great service to the cricketing world! Hopefully we'll see alot more international teams playing cricket at the highest level! It's so heartening to see cricket broadening its horizons.

 

[atisha_ro]

Still riding the wave... an Ashes preview written by yours truly. See attached jpg.

 

[Chemosit]

top effort - i think i am echoing sentiments already expressed, but great to see how a single person's determination can change things. Keep it up!

 

[NUFAN]

Still riding the wave... an Ashes preview written by yours truly. See attached jpg.

Very nice article, great that you mentioned Bradman's successful 1948 touring party

 

[atisha_ro]

I just needed to tell the story of the last ball of the Don, my favourite cricketing story by far, for its drama and symbolism (hailed hero falls just short of a landmark, still remains the best in his field).

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Wishing I'd got a bit further than "Cerberus est canis" with my Latin lessons, tbh.

I'm assuming the last couple of sentences regrets that there will be no TV coverage in Romania?

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Still riding the wave... an Ashes preview written by yours truly. See attached jpg.

I can't read that! Its all written in gobbledigook!

Keep pushing it. Maybe you'll be able to commentate on Romanians playing the game in the fullness of time.

 

[atisha_ro]

Wishing I'd got a bit further than "Cerberus est canis" with my Latin lessons, tbh.

I'm assuming the last couple of sentences regrets that there will be no TV coverage in Romania?

Yes, something like that. The last word is "Yet".

 

[atisha_ro]

I can't read that! Its all written in gobbledigook!

Keep pushing it. Maybe you'll be able to commentate on Romanians playing the game in the fullness of time.

Don't look now, but one of the main TV stations was interested to produce a piece of news about the triangular between teams from Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary which took place in the last weekend of June in Bucharest.

So, really, you never know.

 

[Chemosit]

Don't look now, but one of the main TV stations was interested to produce a piece of news about the triangular between teams from Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary which took place in the last weekend of June in Bucharest.

So, really, you never know.

well that is more interest that Kenya media ever show in our cricket team. hope it goes ahead

 

[Uppercut]

Love this thread. Best of luck

 

[Adamc]

Nice. That picture of Sidebottom might scare away potential fans though.