The sorry tale of Blind World Cup winners

The Indian cricket team defeated Pakistan by 2 wickets in the finals of the 5th Blind cricket World Cup at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Soon after their win, congratulatory messages poured in from all quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar were among some of the big names who wished the team on their success. But is mere appreciation enough for the team and its players?

New Delhi: The Indian cricket team defeated Pakistan by 2 wickets in the finals of the 5th Blind cricket World Cup at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Soon after their win, congratulatory messages poured in from all quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar were among some of the big names who wished the team on their success. But is mere appreciation enough for the team and its players?

Many in the squad are struggling to make ends meet in life even after their glorious triumph. Despite having won 2 T20 World Cups, 2 ODI World Cups, 1 Asia Cup and 4 bilateral series in the last 59 months - 12 out of 17 members of World Cup squad do not have any permanent job. And those who are working have to lose their pay as they do not get paid leave while representing the country. Apart from financial anguish and unemployment these players also lack recognition.

Ganesh Mundkar, who is an all-rounder from Valsad, Gujarat has been an integral part of Indian team from 2014. His parents work as labourers in a farm while he has a small grocery shop. "Family says that I should stop playing cricket but it is my passion. Gujarat government promised me a job after WC win in 2014 and I am still waiting," Ganesh, who was Man of the Match in semi-final against Bangladesh, told PTI.

Prem Kumar from Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh is in the B1 category (complete blind) and sings in orchestra for livelihood.  "I get 1000- 1500 for a programme and during Vinayak Chaturthi I get around 10 shows while generally 2 or 3 shows in a month. It is not enough to run a family," said the all-rounder who lost his eyesight due to chicken pox when he was seven.

Captain Ajay Reddy is not happy with the pathetic attitude towards blind cricketers who are working hard in adverse conditions to bring laurels for the country. "We have the same passion like Kohlis and Dhonis but there is no recognition. Neither sports ministry nor BCCI recognise us which is pathetic," he said.

Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) who looks after these cricketers is not affiliated to BCCI. Facilities, even a practice ground, are hard to get. Adding to that there is only token support from the government.

With IPL auction due this weekend many players will become millionaires overnight but no one seems to care about these unsung heroes in this cricket mad country. Being one of the richest governing bodies in the world, BCCI can surely come up with solutions and put an end to their grievances.