One of the region's longest serving and most well-known cricketers says it is time for Asian cricketers to buck up their ideas if they want to make it to a higher level.
Pankaj Tripathi who at the age of 48 will be captaining Garstang this year, says that for far too long a large majority of Asian players have blamed racism when they are not picked to play at county levels.
And this he feels is still having an impact on the local game.
"I have found that attitudes still need to change within the Asian community. Some of us still look at the easy route and when we are not picked to represent a local club we automatically blame it on racism.
"There is also a tendency to think that if the face doesn't fit you don't get in. This in my opinion is a very defeatist attitude."
Pankaj has both his sons playing for Lancashire league clubs as well as the county level. Vishal plays for Milnrow in the central lancs league and also represents the county as a scholarship player while Bharat has skippered county juniors every year since the age of 11.
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"I know some parents might say...'Well he's got his own two sons in teams that's why he is saying that.'
"But I have been through the system and I know exactly what is expected from the juniors.
"The biggest and most important thing any reputable club requires is a good attitude. It is the same with anything in life if you have the right attitude then you enhance your chances to further yourself."
COACHING: Pankaj with some of the youngsters he coaches His innovative sessions have helped youngsters reach their full potential. PICTURES BY NASIR HUSSAIN
"But I feel that some Asian players, although talented, adopt the wrong attitude and this tends to hinder with their chances to progress up the ladder."
Born in Uttar Pradesh India, Pankaj made his Lancashire League debut in July 1977 for Burnley against Enfield. But he spent much of his career playing for Lowerhouse.
He is in a unique position to see how clubs and the community perceptions of local leagues have evolved.
"Attitudes have changed from both sides. Asian people have more role models now and local clubs have become more welcoming.
"Asian leagues are doing a fantastic job and there is plenty of talent in them. But to move forward on to the next level they need to know what system to follow.
"When I started playing there were no local role models. It was very different and at the time I can remember there only being one other player - Ali Khan- who played for Nelson.
"It wasn't easy for Asian players to break into the first team back then. Yes, there was prejudice but you had to fight it and show that you could rise above it.
"But I think clubs and the society as a whole have changed their attitudes so I think it is about time we did too.
"Also in my earlier days we didn;t have any type of coaches on hand. We tended to learn by watching the more experienced players."
For the past 8 years Pankaj has been conducting his own private cricket coaching sessions for young and up and coming players.
One of his overlying factor during the sessions has been trying to instill a level of discipline into players.
"I tend not to follow the coaching manual as much as possibly most other coaches on the scene tend to do but I have my own way of getting my message across to my students.
"For instance I try to get players into the right mode of thinking. Back in India you see kids on the streets barefoot and are still wanting to make it to the next level.
"This country has such good facilities and such a vast amount of coaching available that there is no reason for complaining of not being given the opportunity.
"Over last 7 or 8 years we have had over 20 youngsters that have gone on to represent at junior County level.
"Parents have found the coaching sessions a refreshing change."
One of the recent successes has been that of 10-year-old Jake Smith who only came along to watch his father receive coaching but Jake himself was asked to join in as well.
"Jake gave bowling a try and I was extremely impressed by Jake's will to do well and with his great attitude that I nominated him for the County under 11s trials.
"This young man has alopesia but he has shown to me that even at 10 years of age he has a fantastic attitude towards life and he does not sit there feeling sorry for himself that the system is prejudice in any way towards him.
"Whilst on my visit to India, I showed a video of Jake to ex-Padiham pro and a former international cricketer Ajay Sharma and he was very impressed."
The more you put in, the more you get out, BUT the right attitude takes you a long way.
The best way is not to blame others or yourself but make yourself better in the goals that you want to achieve,[bold] as there is ALWAYS room for improvement[/bold] .
The best way is not to blame others or yourself but make yourself better in the goals that you want to achieve, as there is ALWAYS room for improvement .
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