Cricket Association for the Blind in India hopeful of getting BCCI recognition soon

Bengaluru: Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) president G Mahantesh on Monday sounded optimistic about getting recognition from the BCCI.

"BCCI recognition looks like happening. We heard in the media about BCCI wanting to remove blind players' hardships in a week's time," he told reporters here.

Committee of Administrators (CoA) chairman Vinod Rai, on January 27, had said that BCCI was working to remove all hardships of blind cricketers.

Mahantesh said CABI is grateful to Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot for announcing Rs 2 lakh cash prize each for the World Cup-winning members of Indian blind cricket team.

"BCCI recognition to CABI will help us get sponsorship and grounds," he said.

"It can also help the blind cricketers get jobs and paid leave for representing India," Mahantesh added.

Talking about this year's schedule, Mahantesh said India will be playing bilateral series with Sri Lanka in March and another bilateral series (opponents yet to be decided) in September.

India will also play a tri-series in October, he added.