NTT DATA National Coaching & Tournament for the Blind 2022 inaugurated at KSCA

Press Release, Jul 11, 2022, 2:40 PM IST

Bengaluru: NTT DATA National Coaching & Tournament was inaugurated for coaching the visually impaired cricketers of Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) from Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled in Bengaluru at the KSCA, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on July 11.

Ankur Dasgupta, Vice President- Global CSR & India Marketing, NTT DATA Services inaugurated the 12-day National Coaching Camp and tournament organized by Samarthanam Trust with support from NTT DATA.

Through this national coaching program & tournament, NTT DATA is enabling the nurture of 56 young and talented visually impaired cricketers through state-of-the-art coaching techniques. During the coaching camp, 29 players will be shortlisted and will further undergo sports and life skills training, including virtual digital and financial literacy classes leading to their participation in the T-20 World Cup for the Blind.

The players will also receive a monthly stipend for five months to maintain their sports training and fitness schedules to prepare them for this prestigious international tournament

CABI, which is continuously encouraging talented players, has experienced visually impaired cricketers like Ajay Reddy, Sunil Ramesh, Deepak, and D. Venkateswara Rao who are captaining the teams: India Blue, India Yellow, India Orange, and India Red respectively.

Dr. Mahantesh G. K, President of CABI  said, “I am proud to say that India is the only country which has won all major titles of Blind Cricket. CABI with its aggressive expansion plan is spreading across India firmly and today cricket for the blind is gaining popularity across the world with players portraying hard work and determination.”

“Thanks to NTT DATA for the specially designed quality coaching and training curriculum which would eventually aid in fostering the team’s long-term career in cricket and help them merge with mainstream,” he added.

Ankur Dasgupta, Vice President, Global CSR & India Marketing at NTT DATA Services said “At NTT DATA, we are committed to supporting persons with disabilities throughout our organization, and work to build awareness and enact practices that foster inclusivity within our workforce and in our communities.”

“India is home to the largest population of visually impaired individuals who have a much higher risk of living in poverty. By supporting the talented players vying for a spot on the Indian Blind Cricket Team, we hope to inspire those living with visual impairment and educate others on their extraordinary achievements, with the hope of reducing bias against those with disabilities,” he added.

The Founder Managing Trustee of Samarthanam, CABI President, Dr Mahantesh G.K, Shri Sadanand Viswanath, Former Indian Cricketer, First Class Umpire and Coach, Dr H.N.Gopala Krishna I.A.S, Commissioner, Department of Youth Empowerment & Sports, Director General, Sports Authority of Karnataka & General Thimmayya National Academy of Adventure, Smt. Sushama Godbole, IAS, Director, Directorate of Mass Education, and several enthusiastic employees from NTT DATA were also present at the inaugural ceremony where they interacted with the CABI Players.