First ever cricket tourney organized for blind persons in Kashmir

The first ever cricket tourney of its kind for persons with blindness
was organised here on Saturday. The tournament was organized by J&K Handicapped Association Srinagar and Empowering Persons With Disabilities Trust in collaboration with Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline and D. P. Dhar Memorial School Athwajan Srinagar in the playfield of the school.

Players from all districts of the Valley are taking part in the tournament which
consists of four teams – Team Red, Team Yellow, Team Blue and Team Green.
The first match was played between Team Red and Team Yellow while as the
the second match was played between Team Blue and Team Green.

“Final match of the tournament will be played tomorrow between Team Yellow and Team Blue as both these teams won their qualifying matches,” said a spokesman from the organizers.

“The match is to create awareness among masses that disability in no way is inability. The cricket match has an objective to provide a platform for young blind cricketers to show their talent,” one of the organizers, Abdul Rashid Bhat said.

The Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, M. I. Lone was the chief guest and Basant Rath along with Javed Ahmad Tak, renowned activist for persons with disabilities were guests of honour on the occasion.

Lone said that government is committed to empowering persons with disabilities in all
areas and J&K will be the first of the States to create accessibility at larger levels
in this direction.

MR Dhar, chairman DP Dhar Memorial Trust, said that the trust is committed to
support all activities linked to the development of persons with disabilities.

On the occasion, participating persons with disabilities urged upon the organizers
to make the tourney a quarterly event so that persons with blindness can harness
their talent and participate at the international level.

Source:Digpu