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Thursday, March 28 2024
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Bengaluru

Bengaluru to host the finals of the 2nd T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind

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Bengaluru: The final of the T20 World Cup for the Blind, being hosted in India by Cricket Association for the Blind (CABI) from January 30, will be held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on February 12. One of the semi-finals and 11 league matches will be played at the Karnataka State Cricket Association’s Alur Ground on the outskirts of Bangalore. 

The announcement was made at a press briefing at the KSCA on Friday (January 20). The teams that take part in the tournament are Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.

Mahantesh GK, President, CABI, thanked KSCA for extending their support for the cause. “I would like to thank the KSCA for having allotted the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to host the final,” Mahantesh said. “I also invite and appeal to the people to come in large numbers and support the World Cup during the league matches from 6th to 9th February, semi-final on 11th February and the tournament finals on 12th February. It would be deeply encouraging.”

”The total budget for the tournament is about INR eight crore but we are still short of 40 per cent of the funds. Blind cricket needs the fillip and many other sponsors are coming forward and we are sure to hold the tournament is a big way. Demonetization of higher currency had hit the conduct of the tournament as few companies have said that the latest move by the central government had hit its cash flow as it mainly gets revenue from retail sale of its beverage. Some other companies, though fully supportive of the blind cricket, had expressed inability to contribute as cricket does not come under CSR activities.” he said.

Sudhakar Rao, the new secretary of KSCA and former Indian batsman, and VR Vanitha, India Women opener, were among the dignitaries on the dais. They became the event’s latest supporters after Rahul Dravid had signed up as a brand ambassador. HrithikRoshan, the famous Hindi film actor, ViratKohli, the Indian captain, AjinkyaRahane and Ashish Nehra among other celebrities have endorsed blind cricket in the past.

The change in guard at the Board of Control for Cricket in India means that CABI, who were promised financial support by Anurag Thakur, the erstwhile board president, now face a major challenge ahead of the tournament. But Mahantesh was confident of the team working towards making the World Cup a successful event.

“We have come a long way in organising this World Cup. We have received financial support and sponsorships from quite a few corporates and banks. Many enterprises have partnered with us for the World Cup,” Mahantesh shared. “We however need more financial support and sponsorship to achieve world cup objectives I appeal corporate houses, industries and organizations to come forward and support this cause by helping us meet the our sponsorship needs. Even a common man can support us by Buying the Unique Cricket Ball used in Cricket for Blind from our official website www.blindcricket.in. There is also a provision for Crowd Contribution in the website wherein people can contribute whatever amount they are willing to, even as low Rs.100.”

Rao congratulated CABI for championing the cause. “I congratulate and wish CABI all the very best, hosting an International event like the T20 World Cup is no Joke and I am proud CABI headquartered in Bengaluru have done commendable job in putting up the World Cup across 12 Cities in India. KSCA is extremely happy to announce allotment of the Chinnaswamy Stadium to CABI for hosting finale.”

Vanitha VR was equally effusive in her praise, “It is great that the 2 nd T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind is being hosted in India, I congratulate CABI and I wish the Indian Visually Impaired Cricket Team All the Very Best. I appeal to the people to come in large numbers and support the World Cup”.

India, the defending champions, will kick start their campaign against Bangladesh at the IIT grounds in New Delhi on the opening day. Ajay Kumar Reddy will lead the side.

Indus Bank has signed up as sponsors of the Indian team, while other sponsors include State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, GMR Group, Star TV among others. Doordarshan will be the broadcast partner for the tournament.

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