When Northvolt was running, cricket was popular in Skellefteå thanks to many workers moving to the city to take jobs at the factory. Skellefteå Cricket thrived and had over 200 members.
– It was fantastic that so many who moved here could come and play cricket with us. Something they were used to from their home countries, says club chairman Basit Khan.
Cricket is one of the world’s largest sports (second only to football), with countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan among the most successful. Many of those who moved to work at Northvolt came from these countries.
– It was important for people to have something to do, to play sports and feel good.
Since the factory went bankrupt, the club has struggled to form teams and is now fighting for its survival.
– A lot of people have moved away, and we’ve lost up to 70 percent of our squad.
But Khan has not given up. He will do everything he can to keep the club alive.
– It’s really hard to find players and that means we can’t perform well on the field either.
The club usually plays in division I and has so far managed to field at least eleven players for every match. Whether that will still be possible in the future is uncertain.
– Before, team selection was hard because we had so many good players. Now it’s hard because we barely have any players at all. I have some contacts with former players, and I’m trying to get them back, but we are in a crisis.
Khan has been in contact with a group of players from Luleå who don’t have a team. His hope is that they can play for the club, but nothing is confirmed yet.
– I’ve been talking to them for a while, and maybe they can come and play. That would help us save the club temporarily.
He sounds noticeably distressed during the interview and is clearly upset about the club’s uncertain future.
– Cricket is a very big part of my life, I really hope this will work out. I want my son to be able to play here in the future, and many other children too, Khan says.