Ukrainian cricket hopeful but bound to suffer after Russian attack

As the Ukraine-Russia conflict has gripped the world for worse, people from both sides plead for peace. While Russia has enforced major military operations in Ukraine, sufferers are plenty even though a vast tragedy is yet to unfold.

Ukraine, which has been at the receiving end of the ongoing chaos, finds itself amid a war that will only bring a backward push even if it is their rich sporting culture. Just like the rest of Europe, football holds dominance in Ukraine but as cricket slowly gained weight, the Russian invasion is the likely force that will hinder the progress.

The CEO of the Ukraine Cricket Federation (UCF) Kobus Olivier, who has been leading the country's path to development in terms of cricket, is back to square one. Kobus has had a very scary past few days but is still hopeful of giving Ukraine its cricketing glory.

"In every negative, there is a positive, I guess. (It) would have been nice to talk in peaceful circumstances. It is what it is," said Oliver in his interview with Cricbuzz.

Olivier is a former South African club professional, who arrived in Ukraine for the first time five years ago for a holiday. In a country where cricket had no mention then, Oliver decided to take up the role of CEO of the UFC after being involved with the game in some capacity for many years of his career.

"People would have never known that cricket does exist in Ukraine. Now, Ukraine cricket is on the world map, if I can say that," he added.

As Russia plans to conquer more Ukrainian territories, the war-hit nation stays filled with the grey smoke, erupting from the never-ending explosions. Oliver, who currently resides in Kyiv, shared the details of the deplorable situation.

"What I know is that the Russian troops are 20 minutes away from Kyiv. They are coming in, apparently, in hundreds of military vehicles through the Belarus border," Olivier informed.

The cricketing hub of Ukraine Kharkiv unfortunately happens to be the biggest victim of the Russian attack. The city is under crisis as Olivier revealed how Russia has reduced it to nothing but a "devastated" place.

"Kharkiv has been devastated; it is one of the major military bases of the country. Right through the night, they have been shelled."

As the temperature in Ukraine witnesses a decline up to -20 degrees in winters, cricket is stopped. But this season was lively as the UCF submitted its application for associate membership to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

"Everything is covered in snow. A few guys knock around indoors. But officially we don't run cricket in the winters. I do my cricket programmes in the schools, and they are indoors invariably," he shared.

"December was our deadline, we have met all the criteria. We are working with the ICC regional office in London. Fingers crossed, we could become an associate member of the ICC in July. At this stage, nobody knows what the future holds for us," Olivier sounded positive for Ukraine to become an associate member.

Further, Olivier explained Ukraine's cricketing events and the schedule. "We play our tournaments every weekend. We have a few beautiful grounds, our flagship ground is in Kharkiv. The game has also spread to three other cities."

As Ukraine currently faces a man-made disaster, its future in cricket is uncertain and bleak. However, Oliver is hopeful for growth and cited the example of Afghanistan in the same respect.

"At the moment, it is scary but I keep following Afghanistan cricket, which is very fascinating and inspiring. In a country of war, turmoil and with the Taliban around, they persisted with cricket and the game has survived. We are not yet there where Afghanistan is, but it makes me more positive. Despite what has happened there over the years, they kept on playing cricket, doing incredibly well.

"At some stage, life has to return to normal, children will have to go back to school and students will have to go back to the universities. I absolutely believe once things settle here we will continue as before. The kids will be playing cricket in their schools. We don't know if it will be under the Russian regime but daily life will continue. I am very optimistic that our cricket will keep growing. I just pray that the UCF becomes a member of the ICC. It will change everything. We will get funding, more sponsors will come our way," Olivier asserted.

With Ukraine under attack, most are left with no choice but to leave the country. But Olivier is not opting for the same route as his sole goal now resides in honouring Ukrainian cricket.

"I am not going anywhere. I get up every morning to go to my cricket sessions. I owe it to Hardeep, the president of the UCF, and Shyam Bhatia, the patron. I can't let them down. I can't let Ukraine down either," he concluded.