By Nikhar Budhadev
Canberra’s commitment to diversity and inclusion was celebrated at this year’s ACT Multicultural Awards, honouring individuals, businesses, and groups making the city more welcoming. Among the winners was Sanjay Sharma, who received the ACT Multicultural Individual Champion Award for his tireless efforts in using cricket to foster belonging.
Sharma, founder of the Indian Australian Multicultural Sports Association (IAMSA) and the Yerrabi District Cricket Club (YDCC), has spent more than a decade building community through sport. His flagship initiatives, including the Multicultural Cup and Independence Day Tape Ball Matches, have become platforms for cultural exchange, teamwork, and friendships across Canberra’s diverse communities.
“When I first arrived in Canberra, one of the biggest challenges was adapting to a new environment without the strong cultural and social bonds that give people a sense of belonging,” Sharma recalled.
“I felt the need for a platform where people, especially migrants, could connect, celebrate their identity, and feel included. In 2011, I started my journey to bring the community together through cricket, because the sport was a natural bridge across cultures.”
But the journey was far from easy. Sharma faced hurdles in hiring ovals, securing equipment, and attracting sponsorships. “One of the biggest obstacles was the lack of resources—both financial and logistical.”
“Another challenge was creating awareness and convincing people that a multicultural sporting association could genuinely add value to the broader Canberra sporting landscape,” he said.
To overcome this, he focused on building trust “step by step”—starting with small community matches, free kids’ clinics, and charity initiatives such as Pink Stumps Day for the McGrath Foundation.
With his wife, he also launched the Kitchen to Crease program, designed to encourage South Asian women to step onto the cricket field.
“From this program, many women found confidence, and today their kids—especially daughters—are proudly playing at different levels in Cricket ACT competitions.”
The persistence paid off. By 2021, Cricket ACT recognised Sharma’s decade-long work and invited him to establish a junior cricket club under its official structure. “That’s how Yerrabi District Cricket Club was born, and I had the honour of becoming its founder,” he said.
“This milestone was not just about creating a club—it was about proving that when you serve with persistence and honesty, institutions and communities eventually place their trust in you.”
For Sharma, inclusivity has always been central to IAMSA’s vision. “We never wanted to represent just one community; the goal was always multiculturalism,” he explained.
“By combining cricket with cultural celebrations, food, and music, people felt valued for who they are.”
That inclusive approach has flourished. This year, the Multicultural Cup will celebrate its third edition at the iconic Manuka Oval. “Their encouragement gave IAMSA the platform to grow, and this year we will proudly celebrate the third edition of the Multicultural Cup finals at the iconic Manuka Oval,” Sharma said with pride.
Yet the road was never without setbacks. “There were times when grounds were not allocated, sponsorships fell through, or community participation seemed uncertain,” he admitted.
“But what kept me going were the smiles of the kids learning cricket, seniors enjoying a match day, or women taking part in programs for the first time. These small but powerful successes reminded me why I started in 2011.”
Reflecting on his recognition at the ACT Multicultural Awards, Sharma is quick to share the credit. “Being recognised with national and ACT awards is humbling, but I have always seen them as community achievements rather than personal ones.”
“Each award represents the dedication of countless volunteers, parents, players, and supporters who stood with me on this journey.”
Above all, he draws motivation from a guiding principle in the Bhagavad Gita: “Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana – You have the right to perform your duties, but not to the fruits of your actions.”
“Recognition, awards, and success are all by-products,” Sharma said.
“What matters most is the service itself and the positive impact it creates in people’s lives.”
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