‘We are getting no recognition from BCCI’: Indian blind team skipper Ajay Kumar Reddy after completing T20 WC hat-trick

Following his side’s third-consecutive T20 World Cup for Blind win, Indian skipper Ajay Kumar Reddy said that the blind cricketers are yet to get their recognition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) despite their heroics on the field, which has led them to five world titles in total. After defeating Bangladesh in the final, Ajay talked to ANI where he shared the plight of blind cricketers in the country.

“In 2016, Para-athletics got recognition for winning medals for India. But we have been doing the same since 2012. But we have not got much recognition. Para sports is under the Sports Ministry of India. Playing cricket is not recognised by Sports Ministry and we are getting no recognition from BCCI. That is why we are not getting any identity. I and two other players in my team have played in five World Cups, but we have not got any sports awards from the Government of India. We are not treated like a sportsperson. After winning the World Cup, there are a lot of wishes, etc on Twitter, but where is the recognition? Without it we would not get any funds,” said Ajay in an exclusive interview with ANI. “We need recognition from Sports Ministry or BCCI. BCCI one year back, formed the Differently-Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI). They have not set any road map that how through DCCI they are gonna support differently-abled cricket. There should be a road map, so that through that CABI (Cricket Association for the Blind in India) can plan annual calendar, groom future generations, make cricket grounds, provide facilities and finances to players,” he added. He urged that the blind cricket players should not be treated with sympathy, but like regular sportspersons. “With that, people can change their mindset, come forward and support us. They just have to change their mindset. A lot of corporates can adopt us, provide us with financial support. We will not need to stay dependent on BCCI,” he added. “Before the 1990s, BCCI used to struggle for funding as well. We have proved ourselves. We have won five world cups. We have completed a hat trick of world cups. We should not be tolerating this (lack of recognition),” signed off Ajay. Coming to the match, brilliant tons by Sunil Ramesh and captain Ajay Kumar Reddy guided India to beat Bangladesh by 120 runs and win their third consecutive title in the 3rd T20 World Cup for the Blind played in Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. India remained unbeaten in the course of winning the title. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .