NGO helpline for blind sportspeople: Swap your ivory canes for willow bats

Blind Cricket Association has affiliates across the country, together, they organised eight tournaments in 2017

In Panchkula’s Tau Devi Lal Stadium, there is pin drop silence as the ball rattles across the pitch. The blind batsman hits it. Fielders roll desperately on the ground in the direction of the sound of the ball. Incredibly, one of them gets hold of it, preventing a boundary. As the match goes on, spectators from a local school watch quietly, for in the game of blind cricket, the only way players can locate the ball is by the noise of the rattles inside.

Six other teams from across India are waiting for their chance on the field, a chance to win the national-level tournament organised by Blind Cricket Association (BCA), a Delhi-based non-profit comprising members of the Indian blind cricket fraternity. The founder, Manvendra Patwal, is the former captain of the Indian blind cricket team, and knows from personal experience how exhilarating the cricket field can be for someone who otherwise needs an ivory cane to navigate the world.

“When I started playing cricket, my world changed,” says Patwal who lost his eyesight as a nine-year-old. Playing a team sport on a field offered him the freedom to run and helped him develop confidence in his physical abilities. “Most importantly, playing the game competitively offers blind players a challenge and for the first time in their lives, they too are expected to excel at something,” says he.

“Otherwise, in our country, every blind child is told to learn singing like Surdas, the blind singer-poet of yore!” Which is why when Patwal retired from professional cricket, he decided to set up BCA in 2012. His experience with the national blind cricket team led to some crucial takeaways, which Patwal has tried to implement in the organisation. “First, I found that players don’t get many opportunities to practise, let alone play tournaments,” he says. When he was captain, this was made more difficult because the players were from across the country, and since BCA is not affiliated with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) they had to bear their own expenses to participate in tournaments.

“That is why when we began organising tournaments and matches, we not only made sure to cover player expenses but we also gave participation fees in addition to prize money,” says he. Today, of the average expenditure of Rs 700,000 for a four-day national tournament, BCA gives as much as Rs 200,000 to the participating players.

Photo: Blind Cricket Association

“Second, in my experience, most blind cricketers do not receive the recognition they deserve,” Patwal says. Therefore, he always tries to get an audience (albeit silent) for all his tournaments, so that players feel appreciated. Third, Patwal realises that accreditation by the BCCI could provide crucial support and recognition for blind cricket. In fact, blind cricket in India is at a disadvantage compared to countries such as Pakistan, whose apex cricket board supports the format wholeheartedly.

Consequently, till date some players have to take casual leave from their place of work to represent their state or country in tournaments. This could change if blind cricket were recognised by the BCCI. “We’re trying to open a dialogue with them, to tell them that all we need is recognition, nothing else,” says Patwal.

Today, BCA has affiliates across the country. Together, they organised eight tournaments in 2017, for which they invited eight teams from different states and provided them with good accommodation, playing kits, prize money and of course, the opportunity to play. “This year, we want to increase the number of tournaments that we organise,” says Patwal. “Also, we want to develop women’s blind cricket further.”

However, the tiny organisation is hampered by a financial crunch. “Since we have no full-time staff, organising tournaments and fundraising isn’t easy.” Max Foundation and individual donors have come up with funds for every tournament. “Some schools, like Doon School, have offered us their fields to play in, which is a big help,” adds Patwal.

There is no doubt, however, that the NGO needs more funding if it has to grow.

As Patwal worries about the logistics of the next tournament, one thing is clear. Although it can’t provide the glitz and glamour of conventional cricket, BCA offers sportspeople the chance to exchange their ivory canes for willow bats — and that’s something money can’t buy.

For more details and to track upcoming tournaments, follow Blind Cricket India on Facebook. 

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