India to host World Cup for the blind

Six countries, led by holders South Africa, will compete in the second World Cup for the blind in India in December, organisers announced on Thursday.

Teams from England, Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka and India will also take part in the 40-overs-a-side tournament from December 3-14 in the southern city of Madras.

"Too often we neglect those who are less fortunate," former West Indies Test opener Gordon Greenidge said at a function to launch the event in New Delhi.

South Africa won the inaugural tournament in India in 1998.

Three categories of the visually impaired comprise a team. Players who are totally blind will join those with some vision, the best sighted having a blurred vision across the pitch.

The bowlers will send down under-arm deliveries with rattling plastic balls that are filled with ball bearings to help the batsmen judge and play their shots.

"The focus here is on ability rather than disability," said George Abraham, chairman of the Association for Cricket for the Blind in India.

"One has to accept one's handicap. That's the best way to move forward," added Abraham, who is also partially blind.

The Indian team will be led by Ramkaran Sharma, who works as a proofreader with the national association for the blind.

Mail Cricket Editor