The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not provide any financial support, which disappointed the Cricket Association for the India’s Blind in India (CABI).
The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) will host the 2023 IBSA World Games in Birmingham. And CABI announced on Monday, August 7, that both men’s and women’s teams will compete for the first time.
Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, the chairman of the CABI, praised the BCCI’s morale support but lamented the lack of financial assistance from the organization.
In a press conference, Mahantesh stated:
“We formed the DCCI (Differently Abled Cricket Council of India) at the BCCI’s request. However, despite having their moral support and their help in setting up sites for our matches, we do not receive financial support from the BCCI.
Added the CABI chairman:
“Our cricketers have won three T20 World Cups and two ODI World Cups. And we had received assurances from the sports minister about more support following our title triumph in the 2022 T20 Blind World Cup at Bengaluru, but nothing has happened so far.”
Leading India’s blind teams in the IBSA World Games will be Ajaykumar Reddy and Varsha Umapathi.
The men’s and women’s teams for the IBSA World Games were released by CABI in June. Ajaykumar Reddy of Andhra will captain the 17-member men’s team, and Varsha Umapathi of Karnataka will lead the women’s blind cricket team.
The men’s squad consists of five players from the B3 division and six players from each of the B1 and B2 categories. The women’s squad consists of four players from the B2 category. Six players from each of the B1 and B3 categories, and six players overall.
Five teams, namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, and England, will compete in the men’s blind cricket competition. The three-team women’s competition will feature competition from Australia, England, and India.
On August 20, India and Pakistan will play each other in the inaugural men’s blind cricket match. On the same day, the Indian women’s blind team will compete in their inaugural match against Australia.
Read Also:- Men’s Player Of The Month Nominees For July Are Announced By The ICC