Blind cricket association awaits recognition from BCCI

Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) president GK Mahantesh on Friday said that he is eagerly waiting for the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) response to recognise the blind cricket body.

After winning the Blind Cricket World Cup, CABI president GK Mahantesh and the players have asked the BCCI to recognise Blind Cricket Association.

Talking to ANI, Mahantesh said, "We are eagerly waiting for a final update from them. They have said that they will support this, but in what manner and what extent they have not spelt out clearly. We had a good meeting with Rahul Johri [Chief Executive Officer, BCCI]."

"Couple of days ago we received a mail from the BCCI, asking us to submit certain documents to consider our pending grant of 2016-17 and also have asked to submit our plans for 2018-19," he said on the sidelines of the Blind Cricket Conclave.

The Indian blind cricket team was formed in 1998 and is currently being managed by the CABI, an independent entity backed by the Samarthanam Trust, a non-profit organisation.

Mahantesh said that the blind cricket association has requested BCCI to recognise the cricket body and have also asked to provide proper infrastructure and financial aid to the CABI.

"We have clearly requested certain major support [from BCCI]. Their recognition is important in order to get the ICC support for World Blind Cricket," he said.

He added, "To take this game to next level, I think it is important for BCCI to support us financially and also to provide security to the players who have played for the country.