Actors in the city have come together to support the Disabled Indian Cricket team. The Disabled Sporting Society (DSS), which runs the cricket team, will be supported by the Big Brother Foundation. The cricket team will be participating in a three-day Alan Border Cup tournament for the physically disabled in Singapore from May 25 to May 27. An initiative by actor and businessman Sachin Joshi (the CSR arm of his company Viiking Ventures) received support from television actor Hiten Tejwani and former Indian allrounder Mohinder Amarnath.
“The basic aim that led to the foundation of DSS in 2007 was to provide the person with disabilities, an equal platform as others. Initially, the task was difficult as there was only one other team for disabled in England but now we have a total of six teams,” Haroon Rasheed, DSS secretary said.
“We have many talented cricketers. We have bowlers who can bowl in excess of 135 km and batsmen like Suvro Joarder, who is the first Asian blade cricketer and is the first disabled cricketer to score a century,” Rasheed added.
Joarder, who is the captain of the Physically Disabled Indian cricket team, said they are starting to get recognition. “Initially the team wasn’t getting importance and lacked proper training but after they won the Asian Cup for the Disabled, they received recognition and have gradually been given the needed facilities,” he said.
Amarnath who was one of the heroes for India in their maiden ICC World Cup triumph in 1983, advocated the affiliation of the disabled cricket team with BCCI. “This team has India in its name. They have shown some talent and will be benefited if they get affiliated with BCCI,” he said.
Joshi also advised the BCCI to start a wing for the disabled.“I would strongly recommend to the BCCI that they support the disabled team just like the Olympics supports disabled teams and has a Para Olympic sports division. The BCCI should also take it up and start a wing for disabled people.”
“Cricket continues to be one of the most popular sports in our country and we are extremely proud to be associated with the Indian national disabled cricket team. The Big Brother Foundation wishes the team all the success on this important tour of Singapore,” Joshi added.
