National cricket ch'ship for disabled from Mar 25 in Lucknow

"The four-day national cricket tournament will be conducted on the pattern of Ranji Trophy and is expected to attract participation from associations of all the states of the country," ICFD founder AW Siddiqui told reporters.

He said that 32 teams who have already confirmed their participation in the annual tournament include those from Gujarat, Jaipur, Maharashtra, Assam and West Bengal.
In 22 states cricket associations for the disabled are promoting handicap welfare schemes as well as sports and are affiliated to ICFD, which includes the central government run Vocational Rehabilitation Centre in Kanpur, Siddiqui said.

"Physical disability in not an impediment for playing cricket, proper guidance and treatment to the differently abled could enable them enjoy the fun of game like others do," he said.
The number of participating teams have gradually risen over the years, the founder said, adding that while last year only 28 teams participated in this tournament held in Nagpur, this year over 32 teams are expected to take part.

ICFD encourages the physically challenged cricket players suffering from post polio residual paralysis, congenital deformities and especially amputees of upper and lower limbs having permanent disability of more than 80 per cent, Siddiqui said.