Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur felicitates Indian Blind Cricket team after World Cup victory

The Indian Blind Cricket team, who recently won the 3rd T20 World Cup for the Blind, were felicitated by the Hon. Shri. Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting (IB) and Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), in a ceremony conducted by the MYAS in the city. With this recent success, the team has now won a hat trick of T20 World Cup titles.

Also present on occasion, besides the entire squad of players and support staff, Shri. Nisith Pramanik, Hon. Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Minister of State of MYAS, Dr Mahantesh G. K.  President, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and Ajay Reddy, Indian Team Captain of Blind Cricket.

The team, led by captain Ajay Kumar Reddy and coach Asif Basha were received with loud cheers amidst the sound of dhols and drums. Shri. Thakur felicitated the players by presenting them with shawls and mementoes.

“The Indian Team has made everyone proud by not only winning the title but by winning it three times consecutively and I hope they win it again. The Narendra Modi Government has always supported the specially-abled sportspersons and we will keep supporting them so that they bring more laurels to the country and make her proud”, said Shri. Anurag Thakur, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports.

Dr G.K Mahantesh presented two memorandums seeking support for CABI. While the first one was related to releasing grants to the blind cricketers of India, the second was a request to support CABI with cash grants to nurture and support Blind Cricket.

“I would like to extend my gratitude towards the MYAS for supporting CABI for the welfare and development of the blind cricketers in India. I hope this support will remain in the future as CABI is planning to do more for our cricketers especially the women cricketers who will also be introduced to the game”, said Dr Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar.  

Ajay Reddy, Captain Indian Team, requested recognition and support from the Government to meet the aspirations of Indian Men and Women Cricketers. 
India won the World Cup by beating Bangladesh on December 17th in the finals played at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, by 120 runs.