Published: Dec 18, 2015, 12:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 18, 2015, 12:55 PM (IST)
With women’s cricket being the new regime under central contracts by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Shashank Manohar, they are also open to consider physically challenged cricketers. England, Bangladesh and Pakistan cricket boards have physically challenged cricket board under their wing. Manohar recently met former Indian skipper and now President, Ajit Wadekar, of All India Cricket Association for Physically Challenged (AICAPC), and Ravi Chauhan, founder secretary of Physically Challenged Cricket Association of India (PCCAI). Manohar assured that he would support the project if all the physically challenged associations bury their differences. READ ALSO: Shashank Manohar meets Shahryar Khan to discuss possibility of India-Pakistan
As per Wadekar’s conversation with Mid-day, “Board president Shashank Manohar and Secretary Anurag Thakur were receptive towards affiliation, but wanted various associations to come together under one umbrella. If we do that, the BCCI president has assured he will table the proposal in the next Annual General Meeting. I will be reaching out to the other associations soon and I am sure we will reach common ground. My biggest worry is there are many fly-by-night associations, who organize one or two tournaments and claim to represent India. They don’t even have audited accounts.” READ ALSO: MS Dhoni has patience to bring India out of difficult situations, says Ajit Wadekar
Wadekar’s association has been into existence for over two decades. PCCAI secretary Chauhan said, “We had a very fruitful talk and he has assured affiliation to physically challenged cricketers.” A few months ago, AICAPC and PCCAI were at loggerheads over the five-nation series in Bangladesh. Due to biased selection of players, PCCAI backed out from the tournament. READ ALSO: Anurag Thakur: ICC World T20 2016 will be more entertaining
Chauhan is confident that the issue will be resolved and looks forward Wadekar as the chairman of physically challenged association, “I have always maintained that Wadekar should be made our chairman. He can be our guiding force.” BCCI’s support will make it possible for many cricket fans to live their dreams. “The players can access world-class facilities and coaches. The sponsors would readily come forward for tournaments and it will also become a great career option,” said Wadekar.
