Differently-abled cricketers shine in tournament in Visakhapatnam

100 physically challenged from five States are taking part in Differently-Abled Wheelchair South India Cricket Tournament

Visakhapatnam

A 100 physically challenged men from five South Indian States are in Visakhapatnam from December 9 till December 13 to play the `Differently Abled’ Wheelchair South India Cricket Tournament organised by the Andhra Pradesh Wheelchair Disabled Cricket Association (APWCDCA) and the Telugu Association of North America (TANA).

Around 20 players from each State came here to play seven matches at the GITAM University Cricket Ground in Rushikonda. Players from the Wheelchair Cricket Association of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh Wheelchair Cricket Association, Board of Wheelchair Cricket Association of Karnataka, Telangana Wheelchair Cricket Team and Association, and Physically Challenged All Sports Association of Kerala are in the city to play the matches

The players do every bit of the game while sitting in their respective wheelchairs. Be it a perfect pull shot or diving boundary stop at the ropes. They greet each other by forming a circle every five overs in a 20-over match.

Speaking to The Hindu, 35-year-old spin bowler M. Raja Shekhar, a resident of Visalakshingar in Visakhapatnam, said, “I bowled three overs and gave 13 runs in the match between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu on the first day. I am a huge fan of ace cricketer Anil Kumble. I thank everyone for recognising us and our desire to play cricket at professional cricket grounds.”

APWCDCA general secretary S.R. Subbarao said that physically-challenged cricket match was started for the first time in Telugu States in 2018 and a match was organised between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Rao was not physically challenged from birth, but fate struck him on July 3, 2012 when he met with an accident while travelling from Visakhapatnam to Narsipatnam at Thallapalem near Anakapalli.