If someone ask an Indian “ what is cricket for an Indian other than merely a sport?” than the answer could be following few lines:
Like a cup of tea in the morning, horrible traffic on roads, queue for tickets, news on politics and bollywood, cricket is also one primary part of usual Indian life. Although, not counted as a national game but cricket is still the favorite among most of the Indians.
According to orkut demographics after more than 50% of Brazilians, Indians secured the second position, so quiet obviously that wherever there are Indians, cricket will follow them in any way. Same is for social networking.
Just like that, there are plenty of communities related to cricket discussions are flowing with an immense range and activities on orkut (most of them are owned by Indians). Among some top cricket communities on orkut where members are not less than 50,000, one community which has not such attractive number of members like 50k or 100k but dares to be best in terms of activity, administration and litheness of its members.
OCC formerly known as Orkut Cricket Community is one such community I discovered some weeks before with only 400 members which is very less in compare to any other cricket related communities on orkut. I usually experienced from my last many reviews and search for potential communities, that generally the large communities which has 50-100 thousands of members, actually have a very less percentage of those members who often visit community or get involve in the discussions and ongoing threads. But, that’s not the case of OCC and just because of that, I found OCC is far more better than any other big communities which attracts with large member base but has very less part of members could really be called as “active”
Going back to the starting days of orkut in the year 2004; one gentleman from Australia named Jordan has inaugurated a community which he named “Cricket” but soon he realized that he could not devote his time and contribution to Cricket community, he therefore decided to transfer the management to a Pakistani member named Imran Aslam. However, Imran tried his best to handle the responsibility but nothing fruitful worked out because of his personal works and commitments. Though, Imran didn’t appoint another owner but he made another account of owner and shared the password with the other 6 selected members which became the team of moderators, handling the community together. But, the dark days for Cricket community was not yet over when one day the team of mods found their favorite placed gone hacked. It was a sad end of Cricket Community started by Jordan but no one expected that the sad end will go to spark a new and fresh start. Baseer, a cricket enthusiast and one of the mod of hacked community Cricket, got parted with few other community members and formed Orkut Cricket Community (OCC).
At present, OCC exist with its present personification as a limited community of 200+ odd members and after tasting the horrible experience last time, this time the membership is only allowed on the referral basis of present members. This makes things easy and secure for moderators who follow the footsteps of their senior ex-mods who used to share a common account to manage the community.
It is very natural that when a group of cricket followers will meet, what else they will talk other than Cricket, so what’s so special about OCC? This was my question to Baseer on my community Rated-WOW where I took a brief interview of this dedicated OCC moderator from last one year. Baseer replied with a mere but in very convincing words that “Apart from match threads where one may express their views for an ongoing match, there are threads like “Embedded in History” for history-lovers, “Technique” for the technical-minded, “Quiz Time” for those who like to challenge themselves, “Editorial” for aspiring writers to “Ask OCC” which is based on “Ask Steven of cricinfo” where anyone can pose a cricket-related question that has been bothering them and a fellow OCCian answers it to the best of their knowledge.
Add to that, all is this is done in an organized manner. What I mean is you won’t find 10 threads pop up for the same topic or piece of news, which is rather off-putting in my opinion. I’d say it’s not just because of one distinct quality but as a whole package that OCC stands out!”
I will say, “That’s impressive! Baseer” and one of the most unique and a prolific way to talk on a subject of sport like Cricket.
Despite of a little criticism in past by some new members who complained that its very tough to get along with old members because of their strong and friendly talks they(new members) find it quiet lonely and ignored. Constructive steps are taken to make the newly joined members feels comfortable and welcomed. OCC remain one of the legends in the orkut cricket community circle.
With most of the Indian and Pakistani cricket starving youths, OCC is one of the best place to get hell lot of information and resource on vast subject of one sport, Cricket. To be truer, not only cricket but I noticed one more thread where OCCians talks on other sports as well, and more wonderful is that, that their knowledge and passion on football, F1 and other sports are similar to their most favorite Cricket. I could not see any better word for OCCian’s except “its is a community of positively, gone crazy sports freakers”
Full interview of Baseer can be get here
{ 2 comments }
Thanks for showcasing OCC on orkutheroes, Zazo. Really appreciate it!
Thanks for showcasing OCC on orkutheroes, Zazo. Appreciate it!