'Despite Winning So Many World Cups..': Indian Blind Cricket Team Captain Ajay Kumar Reddy Talks About Funding Struggles

Both Indian men's and women's teams will participate in this competition after cricket's inclusion was confirmed at the International Blind Sports Federation World Games 2023.

In anticipation of the upcoming International Blind Sports Federation World Games 2023, Ajay Kumar Ready, the captain of the Indian Men's Blind Cricket team, has highlighted the significant funding challenges that the sport encounters in India. Despite consistently bringing pride to the nation and securing multiple World Cup victories, blind cricket continues to grapple with financial constraints. It is worth noting that Team India is gearing up to participate in the prestigious International Blind Sports Federation World Games scheduled to take place in Birmingham from August 18 to 27.

The event will feature a diverse range of sports including Archery, Chess, Cricket, Blind Football, Partially Sighted Football, Women's Football, Goalball (Male/Female), Judo, Powerlifting, Showdown, Ten Pin Bowling, and Tennis. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and compete across these exciting disciplines.

"We will try to win gold in the World Games and will make India proud. To play sports, financial support is required. Despite winning so many world cups, we are struggling with funding. We need funds to improve the facilities. I am happy with my team, they are doing very well," Ajay Kumar Reddy told news agency ANI.

"The Blind cricket team has won many World Cups but still, we are struggling with financial support. We have a contract with IndusInd Bank for a few more years but what after the contract ends," he added.



"My team is very good for the last 10 years. The seniors are supporting all the new team members that have joined recently. There is a positive environment in the team. Once the BCCI made a DCA committee which was a good initiative we got financial backing from them," Reddy further said.

The sport did receive acknowledgment from former cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra. However most other cricket stars are yet to speak on the issue or show their support to the blind cricket team.

Both Indian men's and women's teams will participate in this competition after cricket's inclusion was confirmed at the World Games 2023. Indian men's blind cricket team are set to begin their campaign against Pakistan while their women's counterpart will play their opener against Australia.