Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi congratulate the T-20 World Cup Winning Indian Blind Cricket Team. @narendramodi

The Hon’ble Prime Minister met the T-20 World Cup Winning Indian Blind Cricket Team today 28th February, 2017 at his residence. He personally congratulated each member of the Team. He also congratulated the Captain of the team India, Shri Ajay Kumar Reddy for a wonderful performance by the team members. A photograph was clicked with each member separately and as a Group with the Hon’ble Prime Minister. The Hon’ble Prime Minister was presented with the Cricket Ball used in the Blind Cricket World Cup, which makes a sound when it is thrown. The Hon’ble Prime Minister further requested that each player puts his signature on this cricket ball and he announced that he shall gift this ball to a Museum where it shall be kept for display.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister congratulated the Team and further said that not only they have done India proud but they have also raised hopes for all persons with disabilities so that each one of them can also achieve their best.
It is also mentioned that sport for the blind is a rightful pursuit and it forms a platform for physical and social development. Making the most popular game of cricket accessible to people with visual impairment, bringing them onto the field and be a part of cricket, “Cricket for the Blind” was developed. It is a different version of the sport, adapted to suit the constraints of partial and complete visually impaired players.

In the Final Match which was held in Bangalore Chinnaswamy Stadium on 12th February 2017, a spirited performance by the team helped India beat Pakistan by nine wickets in the final of the T20 World Cup for Blind and retain the title.

It was a moment of glory and delight to see the Indian team lift the Winning Trophy and make the country proud. The Tournament has been successfully taken to the finale and the appreciation received from various sectors and people thorough social media is highly encouraging.
Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Hon’ble Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Hon. Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Vijay Goel, Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri N S Kang, Secretary, DEPwD and Shri Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Joint Secretary, DEPwD are also seen on the occasion.