NEW DELHI: The T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind, organised by Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), was inaugurated in the capital Sunday at the KD Jadav Indoor Stadium, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.
Sports Minister Vijay Goel, who was the chief guest, has assured support from his ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to promote cricket for the blind in the country.
Speaking at the inauguration, Goel said: “Department of Sports will consider a suggestion from CABI to grant it recognition so that events related to blind cricketers get financial assistance from the government.”
Goel added, “The government has positive attitude towards cricket for blind and recently Shekhar Naik, a blind cricketer, was chosen for Padam Shree on the eve of Republic Day.
Goel cited the organization of the second T20 World Cup in India itself as indicative of the government’s all-inclusive policy to all sections of society and its keenness to provide equal opportunities to blind cricketers to prove their talent in the field of sports.
Wishing the best to all the 10 participating nations, including India, the Sports Minister said, “The day is not far off when cricket for blind will strengthen further its recognition professionally and attract more and more support from all important stakeholders for promotion of the game.”
Also present at the inauguration was the Minister of Social Justice Thaawar Chand Gehlot. Guest of Honour included Shri Syed Sultan Shah, President of World Blind Cricket (WBC), Shri Raymond Moxly, Secretary General of WBC, Shri Ajai Kumar Mittal, Secretary of General World Blind Union, Shri Rajesh Tomar, Vice President of Asian Paralympic Committee, and Shri Adwait Hebbar, Head of Corporate Services, IndusInd Bank.
Organised by Cricket Association for Blind in India, the cricketing arm of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, the opening match Monday was between hosts India and Bangladesh. The finals will be held at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Ten teams, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Australia, England, New Zealand and Nepal are competing in the championship. Matches will be played at New Delhi, Faridabad, Mumbai, Ahmadabad, Indore, Pune, Kochi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Anantapur, Bhubaneswar and Bengaluru.
Rahul Dravid is the official brand ambassador for the tournament while Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, Umesh Yadav, Gautam Gambhir have also come forward to support and promote blind cricket. Former India Player Dilip Vengsarkar and many other cricketers have also come forward to support the event.
The tournament is supported by government of Karnataka, government of Telangana, Sports Authority of India, Sports Ministry, IndusInd Bank, SBI, Star Sports, ONGC, Blue Voda, Bank of Baroda, Enerzal, CBM, SG Pvt Ltd, Coca Cola, PVR, ICCR, Indian Association of Para Sports Organisations, CricHQ, SBJ, Oxxy, NASSCOM Foundation, Study by Janak, Radio Udaan.
