The State disabled cricket team left for lucknow, confident of victory and hopeful of better opportunities in coming days, to participate in 10th National Disabled Cricket Tournament.
Flagging them off, former Chief Minister said, “I will urge the State Government to streamline the ongoing Swami Vivekanad Yojana to help the disabled youth of the state. The Government should launch more such projects for them in coming days.” But the facilities they get are not up to the mark, players said. “Players from other districts have to come to Ranchi if they wish to practise with the team as they have little or no training facilities near them. We practise in the ground of polytechnic college in Bahu Bazaar,” stated team captain Babban Singh, an all-rounder with polio-stricken right hand playing with the team since 2004.
There is a need of proper, established training camp where players from the State can hone their skills without any difficulties, he added. Sponsors do come, but are scarce, stated the recently appointed coach Mukesh Kumar Dubey.
The players are supported by organisations working with disabled sportspersons, but sans any government aid. But they are hardly discouraged. Facing against teams from 16 other states of the nation, the players from Jharkhand are hopeful of winning the tournament for second time. “We were winners in the fifth edition of the tournament and the boys have shown promise in this season. We definitely will win the tournament this year,” exclaimed captain of the team Babban Singh. “The players have been successful in last few tournaments on state and national levels. Given the quality of their performances, more tournaments for physically-handicapped sportspersons should be organised in the state to identify talented players from far-flung areas. We are trying to create the environment and opportunities these players deserve,” Munda said.
Addressing the present cricketers, he added, “You should keep your morale high and never give up. With your efforts and success, we will be able to create a launch pad for the aspiring athletes with disabilities.”