Indian cricket control board BCCI announces 3 lakh cash awards for physically disabled cricketers

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has kept its promise and announced a cash reward of ₹ 3 lakh to the physically disabled cricketers for their win in the first ever T20 Physical Disability World Cricket Series.

Recognition finally for India’s physically disabled cricketers from India’s top cricket body Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) has announced cash awards for the physically disabled cricketers for their victory in the first ever T20 Physical Disability World Cricket Series in England in August this year.

The CoA has sanctioned ₹ 3 lakh each for every player on the India Divyang Cricket Team and ₹ 2 lakh for the support staff. The idea, said a CoA member, was to encourage the cricketers to do better in the future.

We are happy and delighted with the announcement. The physically disabled cricketers have been waiting for this recognition for a long time. We are also thrilled with all the congratulatory messages and good wishes coming our way. Money apart, the support the BCCI has promised going ahead makes us feel hopeful. Many players face financial problems and this will make them feel secure. I hope the BCCI continues to support us like this in future. – Vikrant Keni, Captain, Physically Disabled Cricket Team, India

Former CoA Member Diana Edulji had indicated at a meeting in Mumbai in September that the CoA was looking into ways to support players. “The players have to only concentrate on performing on the ground and everything else is being looked after and we are seeing to it that these policy matters are framed in our constitution so that they cannot be changed after we hand over the reigns”.

India put up a brilliant performance in the first series, beating England by 36 runs in Worcester to lift the title. Apart from the players, their coach Sulakshan Kulkarni will be awarded ₹ 3 lakh as well.

“It’s a great gesture from the BCCI”, said Ramesh Naidu, a player in the physically disabled cricket team. “They recognised the efforts of our entire team and it shows that our hard work has paid off. All the players have worked hard to earn their side in the team. Now, we will feel more secure”.

India played outstandingly in the first T20 Physical Disability World Cricket Series with players putting up a brilliant all-round performance. India won every single match leading up to the final.