|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 17 November 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Blind cricketers need funds to play in 2nd World Cup The National Cricket Association of the Blind is in urgent need of Rs. 5 lakhs or sponsorship if the Blind cricketers are to participate in the Second World Cup for the Blind from December 3 to 14 in Chennai and Bangalore. The cricketers and officials had made preparations for over 16 months in various aspects, playing as many as 13 matches and the team was picked in August this year. But so far not many sponsors have come forward to help the unfortunate cricketers. Though the team was picked in August, the final approval for the team for the tournament was given by the Ministry of Sports only on November 13 but there are no funds forthcoming from the Ministry for the cricketers. The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka and the Visually Handicapped Trust Fund have each donated Rs. 50,000, while the Colombo Colts Cricket Club and the NCC have also supported the venture. Lanka Headwear Limited have donated caps for the second time in succession and Star Sports have assured travel bags. The big problem for the local organisers is the travel costs. The cost of air tickets, passports, Visa, cricketing equipment, uniforms and other incidentals come to around Rs. 7 lakhs and the National Cricket Association of the Blind urgently needs a further sum of Rs. 5 lakhs to meet the cost of the trip. The team must be in Chenai on December 1 and once in India, they will be the guests of the Association for cricket for the blind until December 15. President Chandrika Kumaratunga helped the blind cricketers out with a contribution of Rs. 3 lakhs from the President's Fund for participation in the inaugural World Cup Tournament in New Delhi in 1998. Who will help the cricketers this time? Time is running out. Donations may be made in favour of: The National Cricket Association of the Blind, Savings A/C 2650106081 at People's Bank, Wekanda Pawning Centre, Colombo 2. (A.C. de S.) |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
