NEW DELHI: The Indian captain won the World Cup Ajay Kumar Reddy Monday urged BCCI to support blind cricket, saying it would go a long way in bringing professionalism and the much-needed financial boost to their game.
India’s blind team recently won the T20 World Cup for the third time in a row, beating Bangladesh at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
But despite the achievements, 10 players from the 17-member squad are out of work and due to lack of financial support and many are struggling to pursue the sport as they are “preoccupied” with their livelihoods.
“We have won the World Cup for the third time in a row, but we don’t have a title sponsor,” said Reddy, who scored a century in the final.
“It’s very difficult to play cricket when we know we have the biggest task of earning a living so that we can support our families,” Reddy said on the sidelines of a congratulatory ceremony hosted by the minister. Union Sports. Anurag Thakur.
In April last year, the BCCI recognized the Differently-abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) to promote the sport to physically disabled, deaf, blind and wheelchair-bound participants.
However, not much has changed in terms of support for blind cricketers, according to G Mahantesh, chairman of the India Blind Cricket Association.
“BCCI has always shown us sympathy by providing us with infrastructure and training facilities, but to bring more professionalism, we also need their financial support,” Mahantesh said.
Reddy, who has guided the team to two blind T20 World Cup trophies – 2017 and 2022 – is unhappy with the undue delay in putting together a roadmap.
“Recognition (BCCI) has happened but there is no roadmap for our sport, no one knows what is going on. We also brought glory to the country on the cricket pitch and deserve to get the central contract (BCCI),” added Reddy.
Sunil Ramesh, who scored a hat-trick for centuries at the World Cup (against Nepal, South Africa and Bangladesh), and was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ and ‘Player of the Match’ in the final, also said that with the pressure to earn a living, BCCI’s support will go a long way to securing their lives.
“We have no financial support, no jobs and no security. That’s why we only meet before the World Cup or a bilateral or triangular series, which are rare. If the board Indian wishes, we too can play professionally,” said the versatile 24-year-old from Chikmanglur.
When asked what he would say to the Indian team, who have not lifted a World Cup trophy since winning the 50-year format title under Mahendra Singh Dhoni in 2011, Reddy said that for him and his team, visualization worked wonders.
“I would say every player should do some visualization before sleeping. It helped us eliminate a lot of our technical flaws and I’m sure the Indian players will benefit from it as well.
“The fact that they are in the Indian team means they are very good, but (technical) corrections are a must and seeing his dismissal or a bad ball or misalignment helps correct mistakes,” Reddy said. .
India’s blind team recently won the T20 World Cup for the third time in a row, beating Bangladesh at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
But despite the achievements, 10 players from the 17-member squad are out of work and due to lack of financial support and many are struggling to pursue the sport as they are “preoccupied” with their livelihoods.
“We have won the World Cup for the third time in a row, but we don’t have a title sponsor,” said Reddy, who scored a century in the final.
“It’s very difficult to play cricket when we know we have the biggest task of earning a living so that we can support our families,” Reddy said on the sidelines of a congratulatory ceremony hosted by the minister. Union Sports. Anurag Thakur.
In April last year, the BCCI recognized the Differently-abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) to promote the sport to physically disabled, deaf, blind and wheelchair-bound participants.
However, not much has changed in terms of support for blind cricketers, according to G Mahantesh, chairman of the India Blind Cricket Association.
“BCCI has always shown us sympathy by providing us with infrastructure and training facilities, but to bring more professionalism, we also need their financial support,” Mahantesh said.
Reddy, who has guided the team to two blind T20 World Cup trophies – 2017 and 2022 – is unhappy with the undue delay in putting together a roadmap.
“Recognition (BCCI) has happened but there is no roadmap for our sport, no one knows what is going on. We also brought glory to the country on the cricket pitch and deserve to get the central contract (BCCI),” added Reddy.
Sunil Ramesh, who scored a hat-trick for centuries at the World Cup (against Nepal, South Africa and Bangladesh), and was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ and ‘Player of the Match’ in the final, also said that with the pressure to earn a living, BCCI’s support will go a long way to securing their lives.
“We have no financial support, no jobs and no security. That’s why we only meet before the World Cup or a bilateral or triangular series, which are rare. If the board Indian wishes, we too can play professionally,” said the versatile 24-year-old from Chikmanglur.
When asked what he would say to the Indian team, who have not lifted a World Cup trophy since winning the 50-year format title under Mahendra Singh Dhoni in 2011, Reddy said that for him and his team, visualization worked wonders.
“I would say every player should do some visualization before sleeping. It helped us eliminate a lot of our technical flaws and I’m sure the Indian players will benefit from it as well.
“The fact that they are in the Indian team means they are very good, but (technical) corrections are a must and seeing his dismissal or a bad ball or misalignment helps correct mistakes,” Reddy said. .
