Sir Gary Sobers gushes about first film he has ever endorsed

Panaji: Former West Indies cricketer and one of the finest all-rounders of the game, Sir Garfield (Gary) Sobers, told STOI that the 20^th century mathematician SrinivasaRamanujan’s struggle and humility in the face of adversity and discrimination as portrayed in The Man Who Knew Infinity - the opening film at the 46^th International Film Festival of India (Iffi) - was remarkable and inspiring.Growing up poor in Madras, Ramanujan was treated every bit the outsider and his mathematical theories questioned when he was admitted to Cambridge University during World War I.
Sobers, down in Goa to promote the film, told STOI that he identified with Ramanujan’s struggles and was taken back in time to when he first went to England as a cricketer. “If you were an Indian or West Indian in England, they always felt their cricketers were better although they knew that you were as good as them. You had to endure a lot more to prove yourself. In Ramanujan’s case, they didn’t expect him to have that kind of education to be able to do what he did, and do it so much better than the other students at the university. But he had confidence in himself and didn’t get frustrated about the way he was questioned and treated. He was focused, prepared for challenges and held his own with dignity and pride,” the cricket genius told STOI, speaking about the first film he has ever endorsed.
He decided to endorse the film after meeting co-producer Swati Bhise and actress Devika Bhise in Barbados.
Looking back at his own life, the 79-year-old said he made the most of what was given to him. “I was a sportsman. I believed in sport and played every sport. I knew I had some kind of talent. I just needed the opportunity to show it. When I was given that opportunity, I grabbed it with both hands and never looked back because of that wanting and that yearning to show the world what I had,” he said.
Visiting the state for the first time, he confesses he has neither the time nor the inclination to go sightseeing. “I always believe my energy can be used in other different forms and fashions,” he says, grinning when he adds, “I could be on a golf course in Barbados. I just love golf. I play everyday at home and even if I don’t find a partner, I go and tee off. It keeps me mobile.” He can’t get enough of the sport and admits he is hooked to the game that fellow West Indian bowler Sonny Ramadhin introduced him to. “I told him it was a silly game where you hit the ball, find it and, like an idiot, you hit it again. Once I started I can’t seem to get enough of it. What’s really fascinating about golf is that you can go to any part of the world with your golf clubs and play. It’s the only sport where you can play against the course and don’t need a partner. I go to bed each night hoping the sun comes out the next morning just so that I can get out on the golf course again,” he says.
When asked what sport he follows closely today, he replies, “Fortunately for me, cricket is played in India, Australia and South Africa during the time that I don’t have to play golf. Otherwise I wouldn’t be following it. Golf always takes priority,” he admits.
He will move to Mumbai to promote the film and meet a few senior cricketers, after which he will head home to spend Christmas with his large family after five weeks of travelling. He has been associated with the Barbados tourism authority for more than three decades and has recently been active in attending world travel marts and exhibits.
Ramanujan’s story, he says, teaches us that, “There may be certain places where we may not be wanted, but if we persist and don’t show any anger and malice, we can succeed as he did.” While he believes a genius has to be born with some kind of ability and then be able to identify it, nothing that is worthwhile achieving ever come easy. “You have to work hard and make that ability work for you, and when opportunities present themselves, don’t let them slip away. Grab them with both hands,” the cricket genius advises.