MUMBAI: After years of struggle, differently-abled cricketers may soon get recognition from the BCCI. They may soon be able to sport the BCCI logo on their jerseys when they represent India in international tournaments.
Recently, different groups running differently-abled cricket in India came together to form the Differently-abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act. Recognized and established cricket associations running wheelchair, physically challenged, blind and deaf cricket came together and united under a common umbrella of the DCCI.
Mahantesh GK, known for his contribution towards cricket for the visually-challenged, was unanimously elected as the President of DCCI and Ravi Chauhan, representing PCCAI (Physically Challenged Cricket Association of India), Retd Squadron leader Abhai Pratap Singh, representing WCAI (Wheelchair Cricket India Association) and Sumit Jain, representing IDCA (Indian Deaf Cricket Association) decided to come together to form a common body for promoting cricket for physically-challenged cricketers.
This idea was mooted by BCCI secretary Jay Shah in his recent meeting with all the stakeholders of physically challenged cricket. Apparently, Shah said that the BCCI was eager to help differently-abled cricket in the country. The Lodha committee, formed by the Supreme Court, had recommended in its report that cricket for differently-abled should be given a priority and efforts should be made to form a committee to run differently-abled cricket in the country.
All the members of the DCCI are differently-abled Cricket Players who played and represented India, and have been striving continuously for several years to promote cricket. Mahantesh GK said: “We are very thankful to Shah for continuous support and encouragement to differently-abled cricket players in India. With the BCCI’s support, it can boost cricket movement for the differently-abled Cricket Players in the country.”
The current development will not only be a big boost in improving the overall scenario of differently-abled cricket in the country, but also give equal platform and opportunity to these cricket players. In the past too, the BCCI has supported visually-challenged cricketers. Presently, there are thousands of differently-abled cricket players in the country who lack support.
“Shah has always patiently heard our problems and has been very supportive in providing support for differently-abled cricketers. It will be a dream to have an Indian team for the physically challenged, blind, deaf and wheel chair cricketers,” said DCCI General-Secretary Ravi Chauhan.