BCCI to announce cash prize for Blind Cricket World Cup winners

Committee of Administrators (COA) chief Vinod Rai on Saturday revealed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will soon reward the Indian team for winning the 5th ODI Blind Cricket World Cup.

Defending champions India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by two wickets in the finals at the Sharjah stadium in UAE to lift their second Blind Cricket World Cup title.

Speaking on the sidelines of an Indian Chamber of Commerce programme, Rai revealed that the BCCI is soon going to make the announcement regarding the cash prize for the visually-impaired players, adding they are also trying their best to get them jobs.

"Day before yesterday the general secretary of the Blind Cricketers' Association had a meeting. He had approached me. I fixed a meeting with BCCI and the CEO.They are going to make an announcement about a certain amount which has been set aside, very soon for the encouragement of this team and to develop blind cricket in the country," Rai said.

Rai further informed that the BCCI would look to provide them financial security by providing them with jobs.

"They are jobless. Even I have come to hear that a couple of players among them are disillusioned now and want to go back and sell chikki on trains. We are concerned and working towards removal all of these hardships. Will make some announcement soon," he said.

After Pakistan posted a score of 308-8 in their stipulated 40 overs, India chased down the target losing just eight wickets in 38.2 overs.

Meanwhile, Rai also reflected on the idea of having Indian Premier League (IPL) for women cricketers. He said that a women's cricketers committee has been preparing a roadmap for IPL for women cricketers.

"We have a women's committee working on IPL for women's cricket. They are preparing the roadmap. In two to three months of time we will have a clear picture of it," he concluded.