UAE star of the week: Abu Dhabi schoolboy hopes to emulate cricket hero Sachin Tendulkar

Jonathan Figy, 14, is arguably the best batsman in his age group in the country but is also an astute batsman at higher levels, regularly representing the Zayed Cricket Academy in Division 2 tournaments and the Abu Dhabi Indian School U15, U16 and U19 teams.

Jonathan Figy, the left-handed opening batsman from Abu Dhabi Indian School. Photo by Amith Passela.

Abu Dhabi teenager Jonathan Figy was highlighted in The National as a cricket prodigy exactly three years ago, writes Amith Passela

Jonathan Figy, 14, is arguably the best batsman in his age group in the country but is also an astute batsman at higher levels, regularly representing the Zayed Cricket Academy in Division 2 tournaments and the Abu Dhabi Indian School (ADIS) U15, U16 and U19 teams.

Background

Born in Dubai but raised in Abu Dhabi, the left-handed batsman has been enrolled at the Zayed Cricket Academy since he was nine and was on the shortlist of 25 boys for the UAE U19s last season and remains as a potential pick for both the UAE U16 and U19 teams when the inter-Emirates tournament is held in March and April.

Figy, whose father is a priest at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Abu Dhabi, has played a dominant role in leading his school to the National Cricket League U15 final against Our Own English High School-Sharjah at the Dubai Sevens grounds, which takes place on Friday.

In the National School League, he has so far amassed 509 runs (111, 113 no, 98 no, 100 no and 87) in five innings and taken nine wickets with his left arm medium pacers.

Do you remember when you first held a cricket bat?

When I was around nine, I started playing tennis ball cricket with friends.

How and when did cricket first interest you?

When I was around seven or eight I use to watch matches on television with my grandmother, Sara John. She taught and explained to me about the game and I gradually picked it up from there. Since I started playing, she comes along to watches me play ... literally, every game.

When did you feel you had the talent to try to make a career as a cricketer?

I scored a century (111) three years ago in an U13 tournament ... and that’s the time I thought if I continued to work hard I can play at a good level.

What are your short- and long-term objectives?

Perhaps play for the UAE age-group teams, but long-term play for India, hopefully. There is nothing like trying and I think if I keep working hard I can achieve it.

Cricket hero?

Sachin Tendulkar. I liked the way he bats and I want to be like him.

Have you thought of going to play in India?

My parents and I have talked about it a lot but I’m still not sure if they want me to go immediately or not, but it’s seriously at the back of our minds.

Do you play any other sports?

I love sports and play badminton, football and do a lot of running. I represented the top CBSE UAE school (ADIS) at the CBSE national chess clusters tournament in India both last year and earlier this month.

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