From Kerala Teacher to Canadian Cricket Therapist: A Dream Fulfilled
In 2017, Joji Varghese made a life-altering decision. He packed his belongings, bid farewell to Thiruvananthapuram permanently, and boarded a flight to Canada with his family. His motivation was clear: securing a brighter future for his children through Canadian permanent residency.
The Journey to Permanent Residency
Joji's path to Canada wasn't straightforward. His wife had been working as a nurse in Italy, but language barriers made settling there challenging. The family needed an English-speaking country, and Canada emerged as the ideal choice. To qualify for PR, Joji enrolled in a six-month massage therapy course—a decision that would shape his future career.
"We needed money at that time, so my wife had to leave. In Italy, you need to know Italian if you apply for PR. That's why we chose an English-speaking country, and we chose Canada," Joji explained about their strategic decision.
Building a New Life in Brampton
After obtaining PR, Joji settled in Brampton, near Toronto, where he established himself as a skilled massage therapist. His expertise eventually led to opportunities in cricket, working with Cricket Canada and traveling with the national team.
Joji's professional journey included working with several international cricket stars such as Rassie van der Dussen, Dwaine Pretorius, Moeen Ali, Shane Bond, Tim Southee, Yuvraj Singh, and Mark Chapman.
The Long-Awaited Meeting with Sanju Samson
Before leaving India, Joji had one unfulfilled dream: meeting his favorite cricketer, Sanju Samson. He had watched Samson play from afar when both were at Mar Baselios Engineering College in Thiruvananthapuram, where Joji worked in the Sports Department.
Destiny arranged their meeting during T20 World Cup 2026 preparations when India and Canada shared practice sessions at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. "I was destined to meet him. It's nothing short of a dream story for me," an emotional Joji recalled.
An Emotional Reunion
When Joji finally met Samson after a practice session, the interaction was deeply personal. "When I told him I was from Kerala, he immediately smiled, addressed me as 'Chetta,' and asked, 'Sugamano?'—instantly creating a personal and emotional connection," Joji described.
He praised Samson's humility: "Despite being such a big international star, he interacted with great simplicity and respect." Their conversation covered Canadian cricket, their respective journeys, and Samson's growing popularity among the Indian diaspora in Canada.
Family Life and Career Progression
Joji and his wife now have four children—a 16-year-old daughter, a 13-year-old son, and six-year-old twin boys. His career progressed from private company work to the Global T20 Canada tournament, eventually leading to his current position with Cricket Canada.
"Currently, it's minus 30 degrees in Canada. Cricketers need extra attention in such conditions," Joji noted about the challenges of his work. The team prepared by training in Sri Lanka for a month to adapt to warmer climates.
Looking Forward
Now traveling with the Canadian team for T20 World Cup 2026 preparations in India, Joji wears the Canada jersey with pride while cherishing his homecoming. His story exemplifies how professional dedication and personal dreams can intersect in unexpected ways, creating moments that transcend borders and careers.
