If there is strong will power and determination to pursue your passion, there is always a way. There is a saying that if someone is determined to do something, irrespective of the obstacles in the path they will find a way to accomplish it. Former west zone women cricketer Jigna Gajjar is one of them who has been very focused on finding a way to follow her passion. Her journey as she became a cricket coach is very inspirational.
Early years and Education
Jigna Gajjar was born on 28th September 1982 in the Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Her father, Natvarbhai Gajjar, is a retired teacher while her mother, Nitaben Gajjar, is a homemaker. She joined the H.K. Arts College in Ahmedabad and graduated in 2003.
Jigna has been interested in sports and especially in cricket since childhood. However, she didn’t have proper guidance or a platform to showcase her talent when she was aspiring for a career in cricket. She started sports activity when studying in H.K. College and that is how she started practicing for cricket.
The start of her journey
During her cricket practice in college, one day there was a district level match of Rajkot Vs Ahmedabad. She decided to participate in that match and they won. This boosted her confidence and she decided to make her career in cricket only. Her mother tried to convince her several times that cricket is not made for girls but she was determined to play and went ahead. She played 10 to 12 district level matches in the years 2003-2008 from the west zone area. Jigna was a medium pace bowler from 2003 to 2008. She has played against Maharashtra, Baroda, Vidarbha and Goa during her career. She represented Gujarat in the women’s Championship Conducted by BCCI for the years in 2002- 2003-2004- 2005-2006-2007. She also participated in the competition of LEAD INDIA which was organized by Times of India in 2007.
Marching ahead – focus in place
The turning point in her career came as she had to drop out of the game after her marriage. However she has not left practicing even after her marriage. Her husband Bipin Mistry, who is interior designer cum architect, also supports her in her passion. After marriage, she has done a course on coaching from BCCI. She has successfully cleared Level O cricket coaching course organized by Central Board of Cricket Ahmedabad (CBCA). She has participated in Level A cricket coaching organized by National cricket Academy (NCA) as a subsidiary of BCCI.
Currently, she is working as a cricket coach for children who want to make their career in cricket only but do not have enough resources and guidance. The Coaching Foundation for the children was started in 2015 and currently running successfully. In a highly competitive world, where no one has time for others, Jigna Gajjar has been training under privileged children free of cost.
Jigna’s father, who was a teacher, always helped poor kids by donating books, stationeries and offered free coaching at home. So she was inspired by this and decided to provide coaching to less fortunate kids, who have keen interest and talent in the game.
Social work & contribution
Jigna Gajjar is providing free cricket training to underprivileged children of Chandkheda area of Ahmedabad. Initially the children would come for coaching wearing slippers, but then she started giving them with kits of cricket. She is providing them cricket kit and gears like kit bags, bats, balls, T- shirts, Track, shoes etc. worth rupees 2500 to 5000 and also takes care of their nutrition. She also observes their career as students and sometimes gives educational guidance also. She is coaching many children in the age between 10 to 15 years. She has been doing social activity in the Sports field for the last few years as a cricket coach for the poor boys and girls and more than 50 children have benefited from her coaching so far.
Under her Cricket Academy and guidance, the children have played cricket in District Talent Hunt matches and in Last 4 year they played in the Duleep trophy tournament. Her students have participated in various private league matches. They have participated in Gujarat State levels Tournaments. They also have participated in under 14/16/19 and open cricket selection Process.
Jigna is a Member of Indian Cricketer’s Association of BCCI and is the Founder of JCH cricket academy (India’s first woman cricket coach gives professional cricket coaching to underprivileged children).She has proved her talent as a cricket expert, cricket analyst, and cricket TV panellist.
Awards and accolades
Jigna has been awarded for her dedicated service and contribution rendered to the society by ACCOR HOTELS (NOVOTEL HOTELS & RESORTS) Ahmadabad. She has recently been awarded National level Awards Organized by Arogya Kendra trust MEIN HOON BETI AWARDS. She has been awarded Meri Pahechan LEGENDS 2018 by Mother Lap welfare Foundation. She has been awarded Radiance Iconic Awards women Empowerment 2019 by Miral Foundation. She has been awarded Khel RATNA SANMAN AWARD by Shree Vidyalay 2019.
She has received Gujarat Cine media Awards 2019 by GCMA, also Awarded by Rastriya Nari Ratna Purskar 2020 in Udaipur. She has received Mahila Gaurav Award 2020 by Gujarati Manoranjan Channel Rang, and also Awarded Women Excellence Awards 2020 by Positive Jindagi. She has been Awarded URJA Awards 2020 by V Help Foundation. She has been awarded as a city ka sitara by Fm 91.1 Radio city From Ahmedabad.
Challenges on the way
When she decided to pursue sports as a career, her parents were not in favor. She faced a lot of resistance from them. Her parents believed that she should not play cricket because she is a girl.
Even when she decided to provide free cricket coaching for children, it was difficult initially as she had to approach different government and corporation schools and had to convince parents of those children. But she was relentless in her decision and eventually emerged successful.
What’s in the future?
Jigna feels that there should be an IPL tournament for women too as it is a good platform for those who want to make their career in this field. Her dream is to make her students get selected for national level tournaments. She plans to have her own ground in the future and wants to see her students wearing blue jerseys.
