BENGALURU: The Indian men’s cricket team for the blind is set to tour the US from Thursday, visiting nine major states to “promote cricket for the blind in America”.
The team will visit Boston, New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, and the Bay Area. The team will first visit Boston on Thursday, where they will stay until July 30.
Following Boston, they will travel to New York on July 31 and stay for five days. The team will end their tour on September 17 in the Bay Area.
The tour’s primary goal is to create awareness and teach cricket at the various institutions to form the first American cricket team for the blind. This endeavor promises to redefine the landscape of visually impaired cricket globally.
Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, chairman of CABI & founder and managing trustee of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, said, “This is a historic trip to our players and CABI Samarthanam takes pride in reaching out to new countries to spread awareness on cricket for the blind, teach cricket to visually impaired children and students, Meet the Indian Diaspora and take their support in forming the first American Cricket Team for the Blind”
The Indian Men’s Cricket Team’s historic U.S. tour represents a monumental step towards global recognition and support for blind cricket. By raising awareness, promoting inclusivity, establishing local teams, and advocating for Paralympic inclusion, CABI aims to create lasting change and opportunities for visually impaired athletes in the United States. This tour not only highlights the abilities of the Indian Cricket Team for the Blind but also underscores the potential of sports to bridge gaps and foster a more inclusive society.
Purpose of the Tour
The Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind tour to the United States, spanning from mid-July to mid-September, aims to achieve several key objectives:
Raising Awareness
The tour seeks to raise awareness about blind cricket in the United States, a sport that remains relatively unknown in the country. Through matches, workshops, and community engagements, the team will showcase the sport’s unique aspects and the incredible talent of visually impaired cricketers. Blind cricket uses a specially designed ball containing bells, enabling players to track its movement through sound, demonstrating that sports can be adapted to include everyone, regardless of physical limitations.
Promoting Inclusivity
One of the core missions of the tour is to promote inclusivity in sports. By highlighting the achievements and capabilities of visually impaired athletes, CABI hopes to foster a more inclusive sporting culture in the US. The tour will demonstrate that with the right support and adaptations, individuals with disabilities can excel in sports and other areas of life. This initiative aligns with broader global movements toward recognizing and integrating the abilities of disabled individuals in mainstream activities.
Establishing US Cricket Teams for the Blind
A significant goal of the tour is to inspire and support the formation of men’s and women’s blind cricket teams in the United States. With the Women’s World Cup scheduled to be held in India in 2025, CABI is particularly keen to see the participation of a US women’s blind cricket team. By sharing their expertise and experience, the Indian blind cricket team aims to lay the groundwork for the establishment of robust blind cricket programs in the US, ensuring that visually impaired individuals have the opportunity to participate in and enjoy the sport.
Advocating for Paralympic Inclusion
The tour will also advocate for the inclusion of blind cricket in the 2028 Paralympics, set to be hosted by the United States in Los Angeles. This advocacy is aimed at securing recognition for blind cricket on one of the world’s most prestigious sporting stages. Inclusion in the Paralympics would not only be a milestone for the sport but also the broader movement towards inclusivity in sports. It would provide visually impaired athletes with a global platform to showcase their talents and inspire millions around the world.
