HYDERABAD: It was ironical! M.V. Narasimha Rao, former Indian Test cricketer and popularly known as ‘Bobjee’, who lost his prestigious Member of British Empire (MBE) medallion at a function in the City recently, has stepped into the media box with the relevant citation in a bag which has ‘Sweet Memories’ emblazoned on it.
Bobjee informed media during the on-going India-Bangladesh Test match at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Sunday that he lost the medallion at the Aurora College function at Lalita Kala Thoranam in the City on January 28 and even lodged a police complaint in this regard.
Rare honour
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For the record, he is the first Indian Test cricketer to get this Award.
The medallion was presented to him by Queen Elizabeth in 2011 for his contribution to sport and the community service in Ireland where he lived for more than two decades before coming back to Hyderabad (he is now Director of Hyderabad Cricket Academy of Excellence at Gymkhana Ground here).
After almost two weeks after he lost it, the 62-year-old Bobjee has been advised by the Police to issue a media statement regarding this so that whoever ‘found it’ could get back to him.
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Rich experience
“It is very dear to me. I am extremely disappointed. It is like a Padma Award given for my contribution to Irish cricket and community service in Ireland,” says Bobjee, who led Hyderabad to Ranji Trophy triumph in 1986-87 season.
All that the former cricketer, who during his stint with Ireland Cricket Board has the satisfaction of seeing nine players he coached play for Ireland in the 2011 World Cup in India, has is the original citation of the MBE and is now desperately waiting for some good news on this front.
“I am terribly upset. Just praying to God to get back that medal,” he signed off with a grim face.