In an interview with Dipta Joshi, former India cricketer Sameer Dighe expounds on life lessons learnt on the field and parenting a teen Mumbai-based Sameer Dighe is a former wicketkeeper-batsman who played over 58 Ranji Trophy matches for Mumbai and made his international debut in the India-Australia test series of 2001. After retiring from international cricket shortly thereafter, he donned the cap of coach to the Hong Kong & Tripura cricket teams and served as a selector for the Mumbai cricket team (2009). Sameer & his entrepreneur wife, Tejal, are parenting their 13-year-old-daughter Saachi in Mumbai. What is your parenting philosophy? We haven’t followed a particular philosophy to raise our daughter Saachi and this has worked for us. In cricket, a batsman needs to focus on every ball and judge which one needs to be left alone and which one needs to be struck. Much the same way, children experience different emotional phases, each of which needs to be handled accordingly. While parents need to be firm, most conflict situations can be sorted through a friendly chat, especially with teenagers who are under tremendous pressure to keep pace with academics and social expectations. Since Saachi is in class IX, she has begun preparations for board examinations. But Tejal and I have taken a conscious decision not to pressurise and impose any expectations on her. Of course we want her to do well but we also want her to enjoy the last few years of her school life. Most Indian parents and schools are focused on academics and don’t encourage children to play games and sports. Your comment? The problem is in our education system which accords too much importance to academics, and too little to sports and the performing arts. It has failed to recognise that each child is unique and blessed with varied talents. All children are expected and forced to succeed on the single parameter of academics regardless of their individual capabilities. Unfortunately parents are also part of this system and prioritise academics over sports. Thankfully, of late a rising number of schools are encouraging children to do both — learn and explore sports options. I believe it is the responsibility of schools and government to make sports education popular among children and youth. Parents will follow. Why and how can sports be integrated into education and daily life of children? Parents must take the lead in encouraging children to play at least one sport. It does more for their overall personality development than it is given credit for. Apart from health and fitness benefits, it develops teamwork and the sporting spirit that will see them through difficult life situations. It also helps in developing an open outlook and courage to deal with failure. While parents are instrumental in encouraging children to play sports, I believe schools also have a big role. They can begin by providing sports options and awarding extra marks and incentives for greater participation in sports and games. On a national level, the Central…
