- Pakistan will host the T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in 2024.
- Tournament will be held from November 18 to December 3, 2024.
- WBCL AGM held in India on December 5-6.
The fourth T20 Blind Cricket World Cup will be held in Pakistan, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) said on Saturday.
The country would host the blind cricket championship from November 18 to December 3, 2024, the PBCC announced in a statement.
The 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of World Blind Cricket Ltd (WBCL), which was held in India the day before, decided to give hosting rights to Pakistan.
“Due to the non-issuance of visas on political grounds, Chairman PBCC Syed Sultan Shah, who is also the president of WBCL, presided over the meeting via video link,” read the press release.
The Blind Cricket T20 World was held in India from December 5 to December 17, and the WBCL overwhelmingly adopted a resolution regretting the Indian government’s callousness in denying Pakistan’s blind cricket team visas.
“The WBCL is of the view that Pakistan is currently top-ranked T20 blind cricket team and the Indian government’s insensitivity has deprived it to exercise equal rights to take part and win the title.”
“Visa denial on political grounds has caused an irreparable loss to WBC in particular and global blind cricket in general because Pakistan was a serious contender to win the title.”
“The WBC urges the states that sports should be kept above regional politics, particularly the special persons’ mega sports events should be treated fairly and all teams must be given equal chances to compete in the event.”
“Most states have ratified United Nations Charter for Persons with Disabilities, which induces states to provide equal sports playing opportunities to persons with disabilities, hence this charter should be implemented in letter and spirit.”
During the AGM, WBCL’s Executive Committee elections were also held. Representatives from nine of the ten full member countries took part in the meeting.
Shah won the WBCL presidency with no opposition, serving from 2022 to 2024. For the fourth time in a row, he is now the president of the WBCL.
First Vice President Bhawani Persad of the West Indies, Second Vice President Rajnesh Henry of India, Secretary General Raymond Moxly of Australia, Director Technical Maher Yousaf Haroon of Pakistan, Director of Finance Pawan Ghimire of Nepal, and Director of Global Development David John are the other members of the newly elected body (India).
In the meanwhile, the WBCL confirmed that it would take part in the World Blind Games, which the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) would host in Birmingham, United Kingdom, from August 18–27, 2023. Cricket for the blind has been added to the Games for the first time.
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