MiD DAY trials Anil Kumble on the eve of his first International match as Karnataka State Cricket Association president
MiD DAYu00a0trials Anil Kumble on the eve of his first International match as Karnataka State Cricket Association president
Ever since assuming charge as the president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association on November 21, former India captain Anil 'Jumbo' Kumble has been on his toes.
Not many administrators have been faced with the onerous responsibility of hosting an international match within a fortnight of coming into power. But Kumble is seen making light work of the challenges at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, ensuring that all loose ends have been tied, despite having a majority of first-timers in the managing committee.
His vision is to make KSCA a model cricket body with an emphasis on professionalism and corporate culture. He has already set the ball rolling.
JugglerFiercely determined and immensely capable of achieving everything that he sets out to do, he has skillfully juggled his time between three significant responsibilities, manifesting that multi-tasking comes naturally to him.
"When you have well-wishers all around you, the task is all the more easy," he says.
Appointed chairman of the National Cricket Academy by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, he has kept himself abreast of the happenings and needs of India's cricket nursery, visiting the zonal facilities in between charity events in Mumbai.
As vice-chairman of the Karnataka Wildlife Board, and faced with the challenge of making a rather unresponsive government respond to issues that have affected both man and beast, he has rung in administrative changes that has warmed the cockles of hitherto unrecognised forest staff.
On the eve of the fourth ODI between India and New Zealand, the 40-year-old hosted the Jumbo wildlife awards, under the Kumble Foundation banner, rewarding the foot soldiers of the forest for their contribution for wildlife protection. The glitterati of Karnataka sports were at hand to support his noble venture.
How does he manage to wear three different hats? "I don't think it is difficult if you allocate time for each of the responsibilities that you have been entrusted with. If you have the will and desire to make a significant contribution and are willing to work with a professional mindset, nothing is difficult," he says.
As he had shouldered India's bowling during his illustrious international career, Jumbo has shown that he has the wherewithal, desire, sincerity and ability to give a professional hue to all the three responsibilities that he has been entrusted with.u00a0 "I am enjoying every bit of it," he says.
