CUTTACK 20-Nov-2014 75
India has a bright chance to win the Cricket World Cup for the Blind, scheduled to be held in South Africa from November 25 to December 9. This was the confidence exuded by Team India coach Patrick Rajkumar after the conclusion of the team`s three-week-long preparatory training camp at Ravenshaw University ground here today.
``The team is ready to repeat its 2012 T-20 World Cup winning performance in the 50-over-format in South Africa. The preparatory camp has perfectly shaped young and hard working team to overcome all the challenges South Africa,`` said Rajkumar before leaving with the team for Cape Town, via Delhi.
``We have worked hard in the camp to improve our fitness level. We believe our efforts in the camp will help us win the World Cup,`` said Mohammed Jafar Iqbal, the lone Odisha player in the 17-member Indian team.
As many as seven countries would take part in the World Cup. Other six are: Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Led by Shekhar Naik of Karnataka, Indian will play their first match against arch rivals Pakistan on November 27 and next one next day against host South Africa.
Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), a sports initiative of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, has been promoting cricket for the blind in the country over the years since its inception in February 2011. As many as 21 states have registered themselves with CABI.
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PHOTO: World Cup bound Indian cricket team for the blind pose after the end of its preparatory camp in Cuttack on Nov 20, 2014.
