Nethrodaya Cup - Cricket Championship for the Blind

Samarthanam Retains South Zone

The Samarthanam blind cricket team showed their talent in a telling style by beating the Andhra Pradesh team by 39 runs, at the Velammal Engineering College ground, Chennai on Saturday, 26th July 2009. Representing Karnataka, Samarthanam Blind Cricket Team won all the matches handsomely by beating other states. In the first match Kerala was defeated by 10 wickets. Batting first Kerala scored 99 runs for 8 wickets in 15 overs.  Samarthanam crested that score comfortably in just 8 overs without losing a wicket.
In the finals Andhra Pradesh won the toss and put Samarthanam to bat. In the allotted 15 overs Samarthanam scored 147 runs for 7 wickets. Chasing the big target Andhra Pradesh crumbled for just 108 runs and  thus Samarthanam (Karnataka) lifted the championship by retaining its hold over the game. Mahesh in B2 category won the Man of the Series for his outstanding performance and Veeresh in B1 category shared the same award. 
About Samarthanam
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, a non-government organization which has, for the last 12 years, worked and envisioned to empower people who are differently abled and are from insolvent background of our society, to keep them in pace with the lightening development of success by providing them to achieve their maximum level of quality education, reasonable accommodation, nutritious food, vocational training, placement based rehabilitation and personal independence. This organization was started by three educated, visually challenged individuals, mentored by a highly motivated, focused and determined young man G.K Mahantesh. For the last 12 years the organization provides an array of specialized services to the physically challenged, visually impaired, and under privileged people of all ages to assist them in attaining the skills, confidence and positive outlook that are critical to independence.

Samarthanam - Sports Wing            Samarthanam emphasize on evolving a healthy sports culture within the organization and the sports wing of Samarthanam does it successfully. Excellence in sports was one of the positive aspects for the disabled youth to access gainful employment. Participation in the sports is encouraged, adequate facilities are provided, and innovative opportunities are created for the sportspersons to make the best use of their abilities to realize their dreams.
Samarthanam blind cricket team participated and won several national level and international cricket tournaments for the blind. Even Samarthanam cricket team plays special matches with corporate cricket teams in Bangalore to promote the vision of an inclusive society and awareness about the rights of the disabled.
The major differences between the laws of conventional cricket and blind cricket are:
1.The team is made up of a mixture of vision impaired and totally blind players.
2. The game is played with an audio ball made of hard plastic and filled with tiny ball
    Bearing.
3. Usually the stump is made of metal.
4. Bowling is under arm and the ball has to pitch once before the mid pitch.
5. The bowler gives an audio clue before bowling and the batsmen gives and audio
     clue when he is ready.
6. The wickets are screwed together to ensure they are aligned.
7. The boundary is 45 yards from the pitch.
8. One team comprises of 11 players.