Internet Desk: Indian Cricket team for Blind is all geared up to participate in the “5th ODI World Cup Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2018 ” to be held in Dubai from 7th January to 21st January 2018.The tournament will see participation from 6 nations, including India Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia.
Samarthanam promotes building of an inclusive society which provides equal opportunities, without discrimination, for the development of the visually impaired, disabled and economically underserved. Samarthanam initiatives include Education, Skilling, Sports, Environment, Arts and Culture, Rehabilitation and Health and Nutrition.
Cricket for the blind is a rightful pursuit and it forms a platform for physical and social development. Under Samarthanam Sports Initiative, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) governs cricket tournaments and championships in India and abroad. CABI is the only affiliate to World Blind Cricket Ltd. (WBC) and has touched 25,000 cricket enthusiasts across India from 2010. CABI primarily aims to promote Cricket for Blind and reinforce the association among the visually impaired multitude in India and abroad Provides opportunities to the visually impaired and creating awareness among the public on the abilities and talent of the players.
Hon Ex President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee felicitated Indian team after winning 1st T20 World Cup in 2012. Hon Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi felicitated Indian team after winning 4th ODI World Cup in 2014 and the 2nd T20 World Cup for the Blind 2017. Hon President conveyed appreciation in his letter after the 2nd T20 World Cup for the Blind 2017. Felicitations and Support were received from Government, Ministers, celebrities and cricket veterans which Proved to be valuable for the visually impaired cricket players adding confidence and making them self-sufficient.
This game motivates youth who are visually-impaired to stand up and face the world while achieving their dreams. The game helps the players to gain self confidence in leading independent lives on their own and helping their dependants to lead a quality living. Visually impaired youth who are power packed with numerous talents find this to be a platform to share their best practices of the game and encourage their peers to achieve big in their lives. The blind cricketers have found global presence and recognition in the field of sports. The community around has been sensitised which has resulted in increased involvement of the community through volunteering with Samarthanam. The players of the winning team have received great amount of recognition from their respective local communities and also the government. Some of them have been given assurances of jobs in Government. Hence the game is being created as a forum to players to experiment with their skills and knowledge in the game, improve their networking with fellow members. Awareness about the game increases as it is being spread across various horizons of the country.
Recently Samarthanam Trust for the disabled received the Best Institution Award from Government of India-Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Mr.Shekhar Naik -Padmashree Award winner who had represented India as the Captain in 1st T-20 Cup and 4th ODI World cup was honoured as Best player award from Government of India-Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) along with IndusInd Bank organised the 24th National Cricket Tournament in association with Cricket Association for the Blind of Maharashtra (CABM). The said Tournament was a platform where the players for the Indian Team to represent at the 5th ODI World Cup to be played at Dubai (7th to 21st of Jan’2018) were selected. With the support of IndusInd Bank, CABI Selected 17 players from this Tournament after an exhaustive selection process.
While cricket amongst the blind was being played in the country, the awareness and appreciation for the sport and the players have been very low. IndusInd Bank steps in to support the Indian Blind Cricket team and by doing so, endeavors to provide support to the Indian team to achieve laurels in India and abroad as well as in parallel, creates awareness for better facilities for the disabled sportsperson and believes that it will also open livelihood opportunities for them. IndusInd For Sports which is the Sports Vertical of the Bank has proudly been associated with CABI over the last 2 years and continues to extend indefatigable support to the differently-abled players of the country. The Bank wants to showcase the passion for the sport that extends to the players who are equally committed to the game and have overcome great odds to be champions in their own league.
Before heading to the World Cup, the Indian Cricket Team for Blind underwent a successful training camp, from December 5, 2017- January 2, 2018, which was supported by BookASmile, the charity initiative of India’s largest online entertainment ticketing platform BookMyShow. BookASmile was created with a vision to support special causes and enrich lives of the less fortunate across India through entertainment, experiences and empowerment. With the support from BookASmile, the Camp ensured that the players underwent Fitness Sessions, Food & Nutrition, Personality Development sessions, Meditation & Yoga Sessions, Training sessions with Cricketers, Learning Technicalities from Cricket Coaches, Team Building Activities, Friendly matches with Corporates’/Celebrities.
The team is also supported by Allergen, Air India who is taking care of the Domestic Flights, Hotel Le-Meridian New Delhi who is taking care of our stay at New Delhi and also DD Sports who has filmed profiles of all Indian Team Players.
Also we would like to thank Gopalan Sports Academy-Bangalore, PES Cricket Grounds-Bangalore, BGS International School-Bangalore, Hotel Spiro Grand-Bangalore, Hotel Royal Residency-Bangalore, Hotel Nandini-Bangalore, Mrs. Diya – Our catering partner, Mr.Hubert-D Frens, Shri Prakash Guruji and Raju- Our Yoga Teacher, HSR Club-For all Water therapy activities, Parandham Ashram-Meditation Activities.