KUALA LUMPUR: For years, Sehar S. Sinnadurai invested in Selangor’s young cricketers, helping build a development pathway that took players from school cricket to the state level, with the hope that some would eventually represent Malaysia.
But when the Selangor team took the field at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) this year, the man who had been at the heart of that journey was no longer there.
Sehar died just two weeks before Sukma, leaving the players grieving as they prepared for one of the biggest tournaments of their careers. They responded by dedicating their two gold medals – in the 50-over and T20 competitions – to their late president.
Sehar was deeply involved in the development of youth cricket in Selangor and played an active role in nurturing the state’s young players. His involvement extended beyond administration – he even designed the team’s jerseys each year.
Selangor Cricket Association deputy president Divian Gangnadharan, who has taken over Sehar’s duties on an interim basis, said the success reflected not only Selangor’s cricket development programme but also the foundation his late predecessor had helped build over the years.
“Our development programme for Sukma usually starts a year before the competition,” said Divian, 49.
“But the players are constantly in training because we have a local league. We also have the MSSM (Malaysian School Sports Council) competition because most of them are still in school.
“As they graduate, they move into the higher leagues. Basically, Sukma is the pinnacle of state-level sport.”
The pathway begins with Selangor’s Under-12 leagues, with players progressing through the Under-15 and Under-18 age groups if they reach the required standard.
“The players also participate in the national Under-15 and Under-18 tournaments,” said Divian, regional manager for Malaysia at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
“The players come through from the Under-12s, then graduate into the Under-15s, and if they reach a certain level of playing ability, they move into the Under-18s and then Sukma. That’s the pathway for the state.”
Selangor has a strong base to build from, with the highest number of schools participating in cricket in Malaysia – 56.
Divian has been part of that cricket structure, first as a player and then as an administrator. Before becoming interim president, he spent 17 years with Selangor CA, serving in various capacities, including secretary and treasurer, before moving up through the association’s leadership. He also represented Selangor in national championships and club tournaments.
Sehar’s death meant Divian had to take over the association’s leadership. He will hold the position until the next AGM, when the council will decide whether to ratify his position. Elections will be held next year.
Despite the difficult circumstances, the association had to prepare for a Sukma involving 14 states – and this year brought another challenge, with cricket played over 50 overs for the first time.
“Usually it’s limited-overs cricket, as some states don’t have enough grounds to accommodate all the matches. This year, we decided to do it because we have facilities all over the Klang Valley,” said Divian.
“It proved to be a good decision because, for the first time in Sukma history, all 14 teams participated in cricket.
“It was a bit of a headache, but it was worthwhile. In the end, we won two gold medals and one silver.”
Divian believes the longer format has an important role to play in developing young cricketers, even as the popularity of T20 continues to grow.
“Most people now enjoy the shorter T20 format because it’s over within three hours. You can hit more sixes and fours. It looks good when that happens,” he said.
“However, it takes a lot of the elements out of the game, such as strategy and tactics. T20 appeals to the younger crowd because people don’t have the patience they had … that’s another problem.”
For Selangor, however, the focus remains firmly on building a sustainable pathway for young players, with the success at Sukma offering a tangible reward for that development work.
