Sachin Tendulkar asks BCCI to recognize India’s blind cricket body

In the cricketing nations like South Africa, Australia, and even Pakistan, the blind cricket players work under the central cricket board. The Indian blind cricket players, however, have not been accepted by the BCCI, but they have continued to perform well and recently they won the second World Cup title after beating Pakistan in the final on January 20. Earlier, the team requested the Indian cricket board to recognize the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) but they still waited for the move. Now, Tendulkar stepped in to support the cricket body.

“As we celebrate the fourth consecutive victory of the Indian team in the Blind World Cup, I urge you to consider recognition of Cricket Association for the Blind in India by the BCCI,” Tendulkar wrote to the Committee of Administrator’s (CoA) chairman Vinod Rai, quoted by PTI.

“The team has overcome many hurdles and single-mindedly focussed on getting laurels for our country. Their victory is inspirational and reminds us of the limitless power of the human mind.

“I am given to understand that the BCCI has lent its support to these players in the past and considering a similar initiative this time too.”

The Indian blind cricket team defeated Pakistan by two wickets in the final of the Blind Cricket World Cup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE to win the title for the second time in a row. Last time, in South Africa, the Indian team had defeated Pakistan to win their maiden World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa in December 2014.

“However, I believe that it is time that a long-standing request to be recognised by the BCCI be considered. This gesture will truly be an acknowledgment of their passion for the sport of cricket. You may also consider bringing these champions under the BCCI pension scheme towards their long-term financial security,” he wrote.

“The recognition by BCCI will go a long way in ushering a new era in Indian sports for the physically challenged where every athlete feels secure and celebrated, not struggling and eventually forgotten. Needless to add, it will also serve as a motivation for many others to take up sports passionately. I keenly look forward to your prompt action.”