Ian Jasper: President of the Bali International Cricket Club

Ian Jasper was born in small country town called Rutherglen in northeast Victoria. Except for the fact that he wore glasses from the age of four, there was nothing remarkable about his childhood which he remembers as being great fun. He later acquired two university degrees, one in Civil Engineering at the University of Melbourne, the other in Oil & Natural Gas Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Ian now works as a civil engineer, generally in the water supply and infrastructure sector in Indonesia. He is presently working on the Aceh Rehabilitation Program, assisting with water supply and sanitation work. Since 2002 Ian Jasper has been the president of the BICC.

What are your hobbies?

Not many. Watching any kind of sport, making craft items -carpentry and other projects. I’m not a reader because of previous poor eyesight. For 11⁄2 years during my early schooling, I was not allowed to read or write, but still went to school.

How did you wind up in Bali?

I first arrived on Bali to work on an early water supply project in Denpasar financed by the Colombo Plan. I quickly grew to like Bali. I returned in 1999 to work in another major project and I’ve been here ever since.

How and why did you first become interested in cricket?

Though I’ve never been a cricket player myself, because of my poor eyesight, I always loved to watch the game, played in my mum’s backyard. During the war years with two hours of daylight savings, the game was played until 10 p.m. in the street in front of my house using the lampposts as “the stumps.”

What is it about the game that makes it unique?

The spirit of the game - fairness, honesty, team spirit, open to all abilities, and just great fun.

What special athletic skills does playing the game require?

Good eyesight, ball skills, being fit and being athletic generally.

Is there any other game that compares to cricket?

Not in my opinion. Australian football is exciting for its team spirit and the fitness of the players, but it’s really a very different game.

Is it really as boring as it looks?

Yes, it can look boring, until one makes the effort to understand how the game is played, understand the main rules and also learn how bowlers can move the ball - fast bowlers with swing and slow bowlers with spin.

Are there certain nationalities that consistently play the best?

There have been great players from very many countries, but Australians and South Africans are at present the best players. Australia’s distinction comes from cricket being played a lot by the young kids, as well as by every other age group, everywhere in Australia.

Does the game also hold interest to citizens of non-Commonwealth countries?

Yes, the game is now played avidly in Holland, Japan, Korea and the Pacific Islands.

What is the demographic of your biggest fan base in Bali?

Bali youth because cricket now being taught in many schools by Indonesian trainers.

Are the terminology, rules and equipment used difficult to understand for those who aren’t fans?

Yes, initially, but as is the case with all sports, the rules are always subject to different views and interpretations.

What are the most common misconceptions about the game amongst the general public?

That it’s boring and that there’s too much to learn and that the game is not suitable for all. None of these misconceptions are true.

Why did you start the BICC cricket club?

To arrange for expats on Bali a playing field and opportunities to play the game.

What is the club’s regional ranking?

BICC is part of Cricket Bali which presently comprises 6 clubs, three mainly expat, two totally Indonesian/Balinese and one mixed. Cricket Bali is one of the two main members of the umbrella organization Cricket Indonesia, the other main member being the Jakarta Cricket Association.

Are the playing rules different on Bali?

No. The ICC international rules apply.

The citizens of which countries comprise your membership?

At present we have members from Holland, Austria, Germany, USA, Indonesia and Australia, including several female members.

In your term as president, what has been your proudest moment?

Certainly the awarding of the International Cricket Council (ICC) award to Indonesia in 2002 for the Best Youth Development Initiative program and again in 2003 for the Best Country (world-wide) for Cricket Development. Why? Because the main training and development of BICC cricket was by Bali trainers.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your position?

To continue to maintain members’ interest in encouraging Bali youth to play and enjoy cricket.

Does the BICC have any future plans?

To provide a better club for members, both cricket people and social members, to assist the future development of cricket in Bali.

Where can my readers watch the game?

Cricket is played on the grounds of Udayana University on the Bukit and also at the Gianyar ground near Ubud. For more information, people may contact the club at Jl. Danau Poso 63 in Sanur by calling 0361-270 728 or emailing me directly at ianwj@attglobal.net.

What should one bring to a cricket game?

A hat and friends, for better enjoyment of the game.

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Copyright@2007 Al Hickey

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