Pak blind women cricket team launched

LAHORE: The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has Saturday set up a pool of over 100 female players after it launched Pakistan’s first blind women cricket team on Friday and would now be holding a workshop and orientation in June.

PBCC launched the women blind cricket in a ceremony held at a local hotel yesterday and will be holding a workshop in June to shortlist the team for a series against Nepal.

Chairman PBCC Syed Sultan Shah informed ‘The News’ that women and girls with visual impairment are the most vulnerable group with least access to sports. “PBCC aspire to provide the girls with visual impairment the opportunities to take part in the cricket which is not only a sport but also the medium to change the social, physical and personal behavior which leads to the social inclusion in the society.

“Playing cricket will give these girls the chance to be more physically active and the enjoyment of learning the sport. Moreover, involvement in the sports will be helpful in rehabilitation and to reduce gender - based discrimination,” he added.

Through exposure to sport s , these individuals will gain con fidence in their own skills, allowing them to venture further from the boundaries of their homes and further enhancing their access to education and employment opportunities. ” Shah said

The scope of sports for blind girls in Pakistan is too limited so cricket will help them a great deal to showcase their abilities to the world”.

Chairman further added “ As a first step to initiate the project, PBCC is conducting an orientation and training Workshop for the women blind cricket players and coaches from June 25 to 30 at Abbottabad, thereafter Pakistan Blind Cricket team will be selected that will play International series with Nepal.”