Ganguly To Be Blind T20 World Cup Brand Ambassador

Ganguly To Be Blind T20 World Cup Brand Ambassador

Sourav Ganguly, pictured here in action for the Kolkata Knight Riders

©REUTERS / Action Images

The one and only Dada of Indian cricket, Saurav Ganguly has donned many avatars and his latest will be as the Brand Ambassador for the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup for the Blind.
 
GK Mahantesh, Secretary, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) was a little apprehensive, though confident, when he sought out Ganguly to be the Brand Ambassador for the most important cricketing event for the visually impaired, since Dada’s schedule is packed to the full. But Dada’s prompt response was just like his performance as opener for India.

As the event’s Brand Ambassador, Ganguly will now inspire the millions of visually impaired Indians in particular and the world in general. He has promised to be active in all the promotional activities after the IPL is wrapped up.
 
To millions of cricket fans Sauravda has been an icon – as an opener, all-rounder, captain, commentator, coach and now as Brand Ambassador for CABI. His very presence is sure to fuel the fire in the belly and spur the visually impaired to fulfill their aspirations to the fullest and show to the world that far from being disabled, they are specially-abled.
 
After his retirement from the international games, Ganguly has been highly active in promoting social causes. For the visually impaired cricketers, Ganguly is himself a shining exemplar of how one can overcome any limitations with determination, focus and commitment. When he started his international career – and even long later – there were many critics who questioned his technique, commitment and talent.

They sneered that he can’t play genuine pace, especially the short stuff. He went on to become the most fearsome opener for India alongside Sachin Tendulkar. They ridiculed his bowling but he went on to prove to be a useful all-rounder. They hinted that he is good only on feather-bed wickets, and he scored a century in the fastest pitch in Australia against Australia. They said he was not a team player, and he went on to become one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket. In a word, Saurav Ganguly has proved to be a Dada. Who better than him to promote Blind Cricket?
 
The Cricket Association for Blind in India (CABI) affiliated to (WBCC) World Blind Cricket Council is the sports initiative of Bangalore-based NGO, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled. It is the apex body that organizes and conducts cricket for blind cricket across India. The Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled is organizing the first ever T-20 World Cup for the Blind in December 2012.

Ten countries - Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Nepal will be taking part in this event. Cricket Association for Blind in India is the apex body for cricket for the visually impaired. The T20 World Cup is the first international cricket tournament for the blind involving 10 countries after a long gap of 6 years.

© Cricket World 2012