Kolkata: “It is high time that the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) should recognise the efforts of blind cricket and give it affiliation. We have two World Cups and the boys’ hard work and dedication need to be recognised” said Shekhar Naik, former captain of the Indian National Blind Cricket team.
Naik recently got selected for the Padma Shri due to his brilliant performance and for leading the Indian Blind Cricket team to two world cups. Under his captaincy, India were crowned the champions of T20 Blind World Cup in 2012 and also the champions of the Blind Cricket World Cup in 2014. He has represented India in 82 matches and he feels that it is his disability which led him to win the coveted honour. “Blindness is what gave me opportunities. It was not easy as I was born blind and had to overcome all odds. But now I feel it is a God’s gift as I got chance to represent my country by playing cricket” he quoted.
The 30 year old feels that the blind cricketers should get as much facilities as the normal crickets do because like normal cricketers, the blind cricketers are also making their nation proud. He said “The blind cricketers put in as much effort as the normal cricketers, so we should be getting the same kind of facilities that the Indian Cricket team members get. We should get more sponsorship. I also urge the corporates to come forward and support us”.
His grief is totally justifiable given the fact that cricket boards of other nations have affiliated Blind Cricket. He added “Cricket boards of other countries like Australia, South Africa, England, Pakistan and even smaller nations have already recognised Blind cricket. BCCI, which is the richest Board in the world, should do the same”.
The T20 Blind World Cup 2017 is all set to commence from the 30th of January, and India Blind Cricket team will be led by skipper Ajay Kumar Reddy. On being asked about the team, Naik said “They have been practicing hard and putting in a lot of effort. I am sure they will lift the title again and make the country proud. I am happy to do my bit by encouraging them to give their 100 per cent. I hope that my Padma Shri would further motivate them to do well”.
It’s a bigger event this year as for the first time, the World cup matches will be played in some of the best grounds like the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. This year it’s going to be 10 teams- hosts India, South Africa, Australia, England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal who will fight for the crown. The matches will be played in Delhi, Faridabad, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Indore, Anantpur and Bhubaneswar. The final of this much awaited championship is set to take place on the 12th of February. Rahul Dravid is this year’s official Brand Ambassador for the tournament, while eminent personalities like Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Lokesh Raul, Umesh Yadav, Gautam Gambhir have come forward to support Blind cricket.
(With Inputs from agencies)