Farewell for Indian Blind Cricket Team

A farewell was organized by Samarthanam to the Indian Blind Cricket Team at Kanteerava Stadium on 6th Aug, which is leaving to England to play a Series against England and Wales Blind Cricket Club. Mr. Gulihatti D. Shekhar, Hon. Minister for Textiles, Youth Services& Sports presented a cheque of Rs. 3 lakh to the players representing Karnataka State at England. Edurite and other companies with their support have made this tour possible.

Handing over the Indian Flag to Shekhar Naik, the Captain of the Indian Blind Cricket Team, Mr. Gulihatti Shekhar, said that he would extend his support for the cause of Blind Cricket and wished them good luck by presenting them a winning bat and ball. Mr. Perumal Principal Secretary, Youth Services, expressing his encouragement, congratulated
the players and said, visually impaired people playing cricket is a history by itself.

Mr. Mahantesh, Managing Trustee of Samarthanam thanked the Minister profusely for his in time help by financially supporting players from Karnataka. He also urged the Sports Minister to constitute a Council for Blind Cricket.
Samarthanam Trust, from the last few months was constantly engaged in the selection and coaching of a contending team for the upcoming series. It has taken all initiatives and borne expenditure to send the team. Apart from giving them a chance to play cricket, the visually impaired players were exposed to important aspects of game like teamwork, physical fitness, strategic planning , execution, and spirit of competition. The game with its passionate following in the country provides for a very effective medium of projecting their ability, talent and potential of the blind said Mr. Nagesh , President, Head, Indian Cricket Council for the Blind. Most importantly, perhaps for the first time in their life, the focus is on their skills and not on their disability giving a boost to their self confidence, he added.

The team comprising of 17 members from 4 zones will be representing India in 3 one day matches and one 20-20 match in Birmingham and Yorkshire. Apart from players from Karnataka, there are players from Andhra Pradesh, Gujrat, Rajasthan, Delhi and Uttarkhand. The team is heading to England for a 10 day tour and will be leaving Bangalore on Friday evening, 6th August, 2010.

Players from B1 (totally blind) B2 (partially blind), B3 (partially sighted) categories comprise the team. The strong team is led by Mr. Shekhar Naik of Samarthanam Trust, Bangalore, as the Captain of the Indian Team. These sportsmen will be accompanied by Mr. P. Chandrashekhar, Coach and Mr. Mahantesh G.K., Managing Trustee,
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled.

Mr. Shivananjaih, Director, Youth Services and Mr. Srinivas Gowda,
Deputy Director, Youth Services, attended the Press Meet.