Jammu, Dec 26 (KNS): Senior Editor Times Now, Pradeep Dutta honoured the winners and the runners-up teams and players as the UT Level Cricket Tournament for blind concluded at Guru Harkrishan Public School ground, Nanak Nagar, here today.
According to a statement over fifty differently abled cricketers took part in the tournament and in the finals CAB J&K Team-B defeated Team-A in a tough contest to lift the title trophy.
International player, Irfan Ahmed Mir and Man of the Series, Surjeet Singh were felicitated by the Chief Guest on the occasion.
The tournament was organised to pick J&K team for the prestigious Nagesh Trophy.
Speaking on the occasion, Dutta lavished praise on the organisers, especially General Secretary Cricket Association for Blind Jammu and Kashmir (CABJ&K) for holding the event in a most befitting manner.
He said these differently abled sportspersons make disability as their ability and serve as inspiration for the general public.
He said it was the duty of everyone including the Government, J&K Sports Council, Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association and all other people to pat and promote specially-abled athletes, besides providing them assistance for holding events.
He futher said these sportspersons possess all that was required to blossom at the higher levels and the only need was to encourage them.
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of CAB J&K, Ajay Kumar and International player, Irfan Ahmed Mir batted for government support and assistance for developing infrastructure and promoting blind cricketers.
They also appealed to the authorities in J&K Sports Council and Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association to treat them like other sportspersons.
"Receiving squint-eyed treatment from the authorities hurts us. We should get equal rights. There should be provision of jobs for specially abled sportspersons also. It will serve as a motivator for us to continue playing and excelling.”
He extended thanks to Principal Guru Harkrishan Public school for providing ground facility and refreshment to the players. (KNS)