With financial support from NTT DATA, a leading global provider of digital business and IT services, the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled are thrilled to sponsor the coaching camp to empower 100 visually impaired women cricketers from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
For 100 visually impaired women cricket players—50 from Karnataka and 50 from Tamil Nadu—NTT DATA has funded two 5-day coaching camps that will be held in four batches in Bengaluru and Chennai. These long-term training facilities provide more than just cricket instruction. In addition to receiving instruction in life skills, self-defense, health and hygiene, virtual digital literacy, and financial literacy, participants will get professional coaching. In order to assist these athletes in building long-term careers, the program also offers subsidies for postsecondary education. The camps provide the athletes a great chance to vie for a spot on the national squad.
Today, at Samprasiddhi Sports Estadio on Thanisandra Main Road, Thirumenahalli, Bengaluru, the first of the four planned camps was opened. Rajeshwari Gayakwad, an Indian cricket player and the 2022 Brand Ambassador for Women’s Blind Cricket, was one of the esteemed visitors. Gayakwad expressed her unwavering support for the program, urging participation and highlighting the necessity of more female representation on national teams. She also emphasized the significance of expanding women’s employment prospects via initiatives such as these, guaranteeing their sustained success in professional sports and other fields. Gayakwad wished the women’s team well in the next World Cup and expressed her hope that they will win the title. She noted how difficult blind cricket is in comparison to conventional cricket and made a sincere plea for more people to assist these athletes overcome whatever obstacles they may encounter by supporting and encouraging them.
“A groundbreaking moment in women’s blind cricket is about to happen,” said CABI Chairman Mahantesh G.K. “We have the utmost gratitude to NTT DATA for their indispensable assistance. This coaching program is an important step in producing strong, self-assured leaders in addition to elite cricket players. These gifted women will have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability on a worldwide platform and acquire the leadership, discipline, and soft skills required for success.
Encouraging the future of women’s blind cricket requires more than simply breaking down obstacles on the pitch; it also entails fostering a leadership and resilient culture that goes beyond the game. Inclusion and diversity are important to all we do at NTT DATA. We are grateful for the chance to assist Samarthanam’s amazing vision for people with disabilities, which began with men’s blind cricket and will continue with these women athletes as they work to build a more welcoming and equal society. said Gauri Bahulkar, senior director of NTT DATA’s global corporate social responsibility.
The coaching session, which will be held in Chennai and Bengaluru, will be a vital route for qualifying. The best players will be chosen by a selection committee to get more coaching and be chosen to play for India. The most gifted players among them will represent India in international competitions.
In 2025, India will play home to the Women’s T-20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind, which will include teams from Australia, Nepal, England, and Pakistan. With the help of this program, grassroots talent will be strengthened and India’s visually impaired women cricketers will be ready for international play.
