New Delhi, Feb 21 (NationPress) The President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Mithun Manhas, along with Secretary Devajit Saikia, expressed strong support on Saturday for a groundbreaking initiative that aims to empower the men’s and women’s teams under the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI). They termed it a pivotal move towards fostering inclusivity in Indian cricket.

On the same day, the BCCI made an official declaration regarding a structured support system designed to provide institutional assistance to both the men's and women's national teams. This initiative follows a decade marked by remarkable achievements for India's blind cricketers, including several Men's World Cup victories and a historic Women's World Cup win in Sri Lanka last year.

Manhas highlighted that the magnitude of success attained by India's blind cricketers on the international stage demands formal and sustained support. “The accomplishments of our visually impaired cricketers fill the cricketing community with pride. Through this support framework, the BCCI seeks to enhance opportunities, infrastructure, and visibility for these athletes,” he stated.

“Our commitment to inclusive growth is fundamental to our vision for cricket. We aspire for this support to empower the teams to strive for excellence while inspiring many others to engage with the sport. The BCCI is dedicated to ensuring cricket remains accessible to all,” he added in a statement.

As part of this initiative, the BCCI will facilitate funding for international travel to two overseas tournaments each year for both teams, provide accommodation for home and visiting teams during international series in India, and allow access to its affiliated stadiums and grounds for both domestic and international matches.

The BCCI stated that this initiative corresponds with the broader mission of inclusive cricket promoted by ICC Chairman Jay Shah, who has continued to advocate this approach during his time with the global governing body.

The board is eager to collaborate with CABI to advance these initiatives and enhance opportunities for blind cricket throughout India. “The BCCI is unwavering in its commitment to supporting programs that broaden access to cricket. Extending this support to CABI is a crucial step in providing visually impaired cricketers with the resources and support necessary to compete with confidence, both domestically and internationally,” added Saikia.

“The chance to utilize BCCI-supported infrastructure and match environments will significantly elevate their experience and help improve professional standards in blind cricket across India,” Saikia concluded.