Union government gives away cash reward of Rs 1.5 lakh to each of 17-member Indian cricket squad
29 October 2016 NEW DELHI: In a major initiative to foster peace and harmony in the trouble-prone Jammu & Kashmir, the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) plans to hold a friendly match in November third week in the Himalayan state as a precursor to the T20 World Cup Cricket scheduled in January in the country.
The announcement was made today by Mr. Mahantesh G K – President, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) after the Indian Cricket Blind Team, which has won several international tournaments, including the recent T-20 Asia Cup Tournament, was felicitated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment), Government of India, here today.
“I urge the Government of India to consider our proposal to organize a match in Jammu & Kashmir. We will organize the match at a place convenient to the J&K Government through its sports council. This match will be a huge morale booster for the youths of that state apart from expressing our solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces and the people of J&K,” Mahantesh added.
He pointed out that CABI will involve representatives of the government, Indian Armed Forces, people’s representatives and the youths of J&K in the cricket matches. Mahantesh urged the government to take up active interest in organizing the cricket match in J&K. He also requested the government to monetarily support CABI in successfully hosting the world cup in 2017.
Earlier, Mr. Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Hon'ble Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, felicitated Ajay Reddy – Captain; Prakash Jayaramaiah – Wicket Keeper & Batsman; Sonu Golkar – Wicket Keeper & Batsman and Team Manager John David and Mahantesh G K – President, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI). The Ministry also announced a cash reward of Rs 1.5 lakhs to each of 17 the players and the squad, consisting of manager and coach.
Mr. Vijay Goel, Honourable Minister of State (IC) Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and Mr. Rao Inderjit Singh, Honourable Minister of State (IC) Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India & President of Para Olympic Committee of India were also present on the occasion. Mr. Ramdas Athawale, Honourable Minister of State, Social Justice & Empowerment Government of India; Mr. Krishna Pal Gurjar, Honourable Minister of State, Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India; Mr. Vijay Sampla, Honourable Minister of State, Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India and Dr. Vinod Aggarwal, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, greeted the players on the occasion.
About Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled: Registered as a Trust in 1997, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled has been working towards creating education and livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities and from underserved communities. The larger vision of our organization is to work towards an inclusive society which provides equal opportunities for all. More details can be found at our official website: www.samarthanam.org
About Cricket for the Blind: There are thousands of blind cricketers in India waiting for an opportunity to explore their passion for cricket and prove their abilities to contest at the International levels like any of their cricketing peers in the country. Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled through its sports body CABI endeavors to provide them with this unique opportunity. Besides sports as is well known opens up employment vistas for persons with visual impairments, physically challenged and economically weaker.
website: www.blindcricket.in
PHOTO CAPTION:
Photo-1:
Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Hon'ble Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, releasing the Ball for T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind 2017 in the presence of Shri. Mahantesh GK, President for Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), during the felicitation ceremony organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment) to honor the achievements accomplished by the Indian Cricket Blind Team, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Photo-2:
The Indian Blind Cricket Team Players Ajay Reddy (Captain), Prakash Jayaramiah – Wicket Keeper Batsman, Sonu Golkar – Wicket Keeper Batsman with Mr. John David, the Team Manager and General Secretary for Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), seen holding their awarded citation after the felicitation ceremony organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment) to honor the achievements accomplished by the Indian Cricket Blind Team at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.