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In the quiet bylanes of Barpeta, Assam, where monsoon rains drum rhythmically on tin roofs and children play barefoot cricket in rice fields, a name echoes with reverence and pride — Nabab Ali. A simple man with extraordinary vision, Nabab Ali has emerged as one of the most inspiring cricket coaches in northeastern India. His story is not just about cricket; it is about resilience, dedication, and an unshakable belief in the potential of young talent from neglected corners of the country.
Born in a modest family in the 1970s, Nabab Ali’s early life was marked by struggle. His father, a schoolteacher, instilled in him the values of discipline and sincerity. But what truly lit the fire in young Nabab was his fascination with cricket. With no proper cricket ground in Barpeta, Nabab played with makeshift gear — a bamboo stick for a bat, and a rubber ball wrapped in cloth. Every evening, under the fading light of the Assamese sun, he would gather neighborhood children and imitate the legends he watched on Doordarshan.
Although he was a promising player, his dreams of making it to the national level were hampered by a lack of infrastructure, financial constraints, and regional neglect. But where others saw the end of a dream, Nabab saw a new beginning. He resolved to become the coach he never had — a mentor who would shape the next generation of cricketers from Assam and the Northeast.
Without access to formal training, Nabab began self-educating. He read cricket manuals, watched international matches obsessively, and traveled to Guwahati and Kolkata to observe coaching camps. His deep understanding of technique, strategy, and mental conditioning surprised even trained coaches. Eventually, he earned his Level-1 coaching certificate from the BCCI, and later, Level-2 — a rare feat for someone from a rural background.
In 2005, Nabab established the Barpeta Cricket Academy — a modest training facility on leased land, funded by his savings and community donations. It had no floodlights or turf wickets, just a mat pitch, a few nets, and his unyielding spirit. But what it lacked in resources, it made up for in passion. Under his guidance, the academy became a beacon of hope for hundreds of underprivileged children from Assam’s small towns and tea garden communities.
Nabab’s coaching philosophy is unique. For him, cricket is not just a sport — it is a tool for character building. He teaches his players discipline, humility, respect, and perseverance. Many of his trainees come from broken homes or impoverished families. For them, Nabab is more than a coach — he is a mentor, a father figure, and sometimes, the only adult who truly believes in them.
One of his most remarkable success stories is that of Rafique Ahmed, the son of a rickshaw puller, who trained under Nabab and went on to represent Assam at the U-19 level. There is also Pankaj Deka, now playing in the Ranji Trophy circuit, who credits Nabab Ali with not just improving his technique but saving him from falling into the traps of addiction and despair.
In recognition of his work, Nabab Ali was awarded the Assam State Sports Excellence Award in 2018. Yet, true to his nature, he never let awards define him. “My biggest trophy,” he often says, “is when a boy from a forgotten village wears the Assam cap with pride.”
During the COVID-19 lockdown, when many academies shut down, Nabab transformed adversity into innovation. He created video tutorials, distributed practice kits to his students, and held online sessions on fitness and mental health. His efforts ensured that not a single trainee dropped out during the pandemic.
What sets Nabab Ali apart is his deep-rooted humility. Despite being offered positions in metropolitan cricket academies, he chose to stay in Barpeta. He believes that true change begins at the grassroots. His dream is to set up a state-of-the-art cricket institute in rural Assam that offers free training to talented but economically backward children.
Today, as cricket gains popularity across India’s Northeast, much credit goes to unsung heroes like Nabab Ali. He didn’t chase fame or fortune; he chose the harder path — to build, to nurture, to inspire. Every time a young cricketer from Assam steps onto the field with confidence and grace, there’s an invisible hand guiding them — the hand of Coach Nabab.
His life is a reminder that greatness isn’t always seen under stadium lights or television cameras. Sometimes, it shines quietly in dusty fields and rain-soaked nets, in the eyes of a coach who refuses to give up on his children.
In the words of one of his students:
“We may forget shots and scores, but we will never forget what Nabab Sir taught us — to believe in ourselves, no matter where we come from.”
Nabab Ali’s story is not just about cricket — it’s about courage, community, and the transformative power of hope.