Sports Ministry to consider granting recognition to CABI on par with other Sports Federations and provide with permanent financial support, assures Hon Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports
New Delhi 29 January 2017: The T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind organised by Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) was inaugurated today at the KD Jadav Indoor Stadium, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, New Delhi at a glittering and glamorous ceremony.
The inauguration saw the grand ceremony presided by Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel in the presence of Hon Minister of Social Justice Shri 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.
The Co-Founder of Cricket Association for the Blind in India Late. Shri M Nagesh was posthumously felicitated for his substantial contribution to the organization. His spouse Mrs. Geetha Nagesh and his son Master Shoumith received the honours. As a tribute, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled announced providing of Wheelchairs to the deserving as donation.
After the lighting of lamp, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma was felicitated with shawl by CABI President Mahantesh G K. Renowned Veteran Artist Sudha presented a special painting to CABI President Mahantesh GK. Pandit ji supported by Vocalist Mahalakhsmi Iyer and Diwankar presented Vaishno Vajanto as a mark of respect for Mahatma Gandhi.
Both Ministers played cricket Blindfolded on the ramp which was greeting by the audience with a huge applause. Members of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled treated the audience to colourful cultural performances. Celebrities including former Cricketer Atul Wasan walked the ramp with the IndusInd Indian Blind Cricket Team. There was also a special march past of the teams from 9 Countries participating in the World Cup. The 2nd T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind 2017 Winning Trophy was also unveiled by the honourable ministers.
Hon Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel while declaring the event open outlined a lot of Government initiatives for encouraging sports. “I assure that the ministry will consider the proposal by Cricket Association for the Blind in India for recognition at par with other sport federations and assure all the help required for permanent and consistent financial assistance so that such platform can boost the upcoming Cricketers.” He said. The initiatives he outlined included a Special Sports Talent Portal, Rural Games and Para Olympic Center in Gujarat. “I congratulate Shri Shekhar Naik for being conferred with the prestigious Padmashri award. This Padmashri is not just for Naik. PM Modi has always appreciated the ‘Divyang Jan’ as he calls them. It is a salute for the whole community of visually impaired cricketers.” Shri Goel added.
“I really appreciate the way the Cricket for the Blind World Cup is being organized. The Efforts that have gone into organizing this Tournament in such a grand manner in 12 cities and inviting 9 countries to be a part of this is visibly seen through this event. I will ensure that the organization gets permanent and consistent financial assistance for the World Cup as well as for all the future activities.” Expressed Hon Minister of Social Justice Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot
Speaking on the occasion CABI President Mahantesh GK said, “Our vision is to make every specially disabled person look to sports as a career. Our Indian Team has made the country proud by winning all the major international events. But what is need is the recognition at par with other sports federations. We have to go pillar to post for financial assistance. When our boys are doing our country proud why we should be left out? I have urged the Sports Minister to consider this so that sports becomes a lucrative career option for specially abled. We thank all the Sponsors and Partners in supporting us and especially the Media for giving us the space as aptly as required.”
He added “We are all set and geared up to host the coveted T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind tournament in India. I welcome the teams from the 9 Nations to India and wish them all the best”.
Organised by Cricket Association for Blind in India, the cricketing arm of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled the matches will kick start on 30 January 2017 with opening match between 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 will fight it out for the prestigious championship. The 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, K L 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. We are thankful for their support and appreciate the encouragement received for the tournament