SOLLY ADAM - INTERNATIONAL MAN OF CRICKET

By Mohammed Bhana
January 10 2007

Solly Adam has been described by Sunil Gavaskar, Viv Richards and Ricky Ponting as a pioneer of the cricket world. He nurtured world class Pakistani and Indian test cricketers, such as Imran Khan and Sachin Tendulkar. He was also responsible for bringing Sachin Tendulkar to Headingley in 1991.

In a rare interview Solly spoke to Mohammed Bhana (mobhana.com) about his love for cricket, and how he feels obliged to give something back to the game.

I asked how he assisted Yorkshire County Cricket Club sign Indian superstar, Sachin Tendulkar back in 1991.

I have always been associated with Yorkshire. I am on the ethnic minority board there, and at a meeting I was told an Australian overseas player was not turning up and was asked to suggest a possible overseas player in a short time. So I suggested they sign Sachin, as I had just signed his school friend Vinod Kumble to play with me in the Bradford League. So I was confident I could get him to play here.

I called Sachin – who was playing test cricket at the time in Australia and he told me to give him a week or so to think about it, as he wanted to speak to his parents about the move, and he was very young at the time. So I rang him about a week later and he agreed.

When he arrived, Yorkshire gave him a house, but he preferred staying at my place and I looked after him like my own son. He’s a very nice guy, very down to earth and still respects me and we still are very close.

Solly arrived in England in 1963 and got married in 1968. He started off as a qualified motor mechanic in a small garage and in 1972 he purchased a petrol pump and as he says, “opened all hours. As Solly’s business empire prospered, he had the time to pursue his interest in cricket.

A few overseas players were coming over from Pakistan and India at the time and I decided to help them and let them stay in one of my houses. A lot of them went on to become test players for Pakistan and India such as Vinod Kumble, Abdul Kadir, Iqbal Kasim.

Solly even had Imran Khan stay over for 10 weeks when he had just signed for another county side

In those days you had to undergo a 10 week suspension (a waiting period before you could play for the club). So Imran played league cricket for Wakefield in that time. He was a pleasure to have around and we still keep in touch. I particularly remember his humility and his eagerness to learn.

India’s most successful captain in recent memory - Surav Ganguly along with Rahul Mankar and many others have all visited Solly recently. Solly is also very close to Indian cricketing great, Sunil Gavaskar.

He is like a family member. I went to his son’s wedding and when he is in Yorkshire, he always comes to see me.

The idea to stage a match between Pakistan and India was mooted to Solly by representatives of the Shah Satnamji Cricket Academy in Shirsha, Northern India.

I got a phone call from the chairman and was asked to organize and attend the game as guest of honour. As Both the Pakistan and India first team players were on tour, I had to arrange a veteran match instead. Within a day or two I called players like, Saeed Anwar, Zaheer Abbas, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq, they all agreed. This was the first time anyone other than the cricket board of India has organised a competitive cricket match in India.

The game was a sell out, with over 35,000 people in attendance. The match was also screened live by DD Television India. He was congratulated by the Indian PM Manmohan Singh.

It was a great honour, to be appreciated in that manner.

Solly is now the managing director of his Cricket Company - Solly Sports. He supplies many of the junior and senior leagues in Yorkshire. He also sponsors the Central Yorkshire Cricket League, Huddersfield Central Cricket League, Sunday Cricket League and the Heavy Woollen Cup – a 125 year old cup which will now be called “The Solly Sports Heavy Woollen Cup. I asked him what advice he would give to young up and coming Muslim Cricketers.

If you are good enough you will play unless you are very very unlucky. I have seen young people with potential, who are hard working, ambitious and motivated go on to become superstars. Once raw talent is spotted, you will get your chance. Always look at the positive aspects. I hope every youngster who is reading this article and would want to become a professional understands that you can get to the top if you work hard. You don’t get anything for nothing. If you have dedication and ambition you will make it.

For me, next to religion is Cricket. Of course Islam comes first, but I love cricket. Night, day, afternoon, all I do is sleep and eat cricket, nothing else. In forty years of playing cricket in the renowned Bradford league, I only missed 2 games.

Solly is determined to do more to help grass roots cricket – and has the backing of the cricket elite!