Asian Deaf Cricket Tourney in March

CRICKET: Cricket, the world's most popular sport being played by the able and disabled around the world will turn a new leaf with the Asian Deaf Cricket Federation under the chairmanship of Namdeo Kadam conducting the first ever Asian Deaf Cricket Tournament from March 10 to 18 in Mumbai, India. The countries that will be taking part are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Namdeo Kadam who also holds the post of chairman Mumbai Deaf Cricket Association and Maharashtra Deaf Cricket Federation and Vice Chairman of the All India Cricket Association of the Deaf was in Colombo on a short visit on his way to all the countries who are involved to spell out the plans for the forthcoming Asian Tournament.

Kadam stated that a tournament of this native was needed in the Asian Region and the officials of the five countries at a meeting held in India unanimously took a decision to conduct the tournament.

"With a World Cup Tournament being played every two years we thought if we are to improve and uplift the standards of the players in the Asian region something new should be done. So we thought to take the lead and with the other four countries to follow suit on a rotation basis.

He further said that in India deaf cricket is played in over 30 states involving nearly 350 clubs which shows the interest being taken by the officials and the players. They conduct Zonal Tournaments to keep the players busy and to further make them get more interested.

For the first time in the history a deaf cricketer Arjan Bahatterchjee was selected as one of the recipients of the Arjuna award which is a rare feat in the history of deaf cricket in India.

"There are talented cricketers among deaf players and what they need is a bit of exposure which I am sure they will gain if we conduct tournaments son a regular basis.

One of the main setbacks for all the Associations is that they don't get sufficient financial support to supply the players with nutrition's and the other needful aspects in their day to day activities. Even the Asian Tournament that is going to be held is going to be tough and if any company comes forward to support the respective local associations it will be a blessing in disguise and will make things easy.

Shivantha Vivekanandan, Chairman, Sri Lanka Deaf Cricket Association and Vice Chairman, Asia Deaf Cricket Federation speaking on behalf of the SLDCA said, "Deaf Cricket was unfortunate to lose late Tissa Kurukulantha who along with the present coach Jayalath Aponso was initially involved with the development of deaf cricket in Sri Lanka.

He was a tower of strength to the SLCA as he reached out to all the districts in Sri Lanka and though he was involved in many other projects he dedicated his life to the improvement of the players islandwide.

It was during this period that the SLCDA got themselves registered with the National Sports Council and made its maiden entry to playing competitive cricket in tournaments conducted by the BCCSL by playing in the Division III inter-club tournament.

"Though we have been playing in club circuit for nearly a decade and unable to record a win yet the satisfaction is of participating in a BCCSL tournament, it has done a great deal for our players. But we are proud that we were able to defeat two countries at the World Cup and the boys are under strenuous training in preparation for the forthcoming Asian Tournament.