Hubli (Karnataka), Dec 21 (NationPress) The concluding 10 group stage matches of the 8th Nagesh Trophy Men’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind are set to kick off at the Railway Cricket Stadium in Hubli, Karnataka, starting Monday. Group C features teams from Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Himachal Pradesh, competing until December 25, with group champions advancing directly to the Super 8 stage.

The Nagesh Trophy represents India's premier national T20 cricket competition for visually impaired (blind) men's teams. This tournament unites state and union territory teams nationwide, competing in a well-organized T20 format under the guidance of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), with backing from organizations such as the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled.

The league stage's opening ceremony took place at Karnataka Gujarat Bhavana in Hubli, attended by dignitaries including Jagadish Shettar, Member of Parliament for Belagavi and Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Abbayya Prasad, MLA for Hubli-Dharwad-East, Dr. G.K. Mahantesh, Chairman of CABI and Founder & Managing Trustee of the Samarthanam Trust, along with Udaya Kumar, Trustee of the Samarthanam Trust.

While welcoming the teams to Hubli, Jagadish Shettar, MP, wished the best for all competitors in the tournament. He acknowledged the growing awareness of cricket for the blind, spurred by the Indian women's team's historic victory, and expressed optimism that this success would enhance public support.

He also expressed gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recognizing the women's team and demonstrating strong support for the advancement of cricket for the blind. The dignitary later joined the teams for a collective photograph.

Abbayya Prasad, MLA, praised CABI and the Samarthanam Trust for their significant contributions to raising awareness and empowering visually impaired individuals to aspire and achieve their dreams confidently. He emphasized the broader impact of sports, stating that while sports teach acceptance of defeat, they also equip individuals to confront life's greater challenges. He commended CABI and the Samarthanam Trust for their relentless efforts to promote inclusion, confidence, and excellence through sports.

The eighth edition of this tournament includes 29 teams divided into six groups, featuring a total of 56 league matches. The champions of Groups A, B, C, and D qualify directly for the Super 8 stage, while the next two slots will be determined by Net Run Rate. The winners of Groups E and F will face off against the 7th and 8th-placed teams from Groups A to D in eliminators, with the victors completing the Super 8 lineup.

While addressing the gathering, Dr. G.K. Mahantesh, Chairman of CABI, stated, “CABI and the Samarthanam Trust have always envisioned building a world-class team since our inception, and the men's cricket team has realized that dream over the years. The Nagesh Trophy has been instrumental in constructing a successful team that has brought pride to our nation. Hosting various league matches across cities enables us to raise awareness and garner support for cricket for the blind while scouting talented players for the national team.”

Named after the late S. P. Nagesh, the founding president of CABI and a pioneering advocate for blind cricket development in India, the Nagesh Trophy has been held annually since its first edition in 2018–19, showcasing increasing participation and competitiveness. Teams from various states and union territories engage in round-robin league matches followed by knockout rounds and finals. Andhra Pradesh currently holds the title, having triumphed over Delhi in last year’s final.