BCCI supporting differently-abled cricket can be game-changer: DCCI President

The 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will have representatives from the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI). The IPL will witness such an appearance for the first time. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah formally invited DCCI office bearers to attend the opening ceremony on April 9 in Chennai. It will further be the first time that DCCI representatives will be part of a BCCI event. “We are very thankful to Mr Jay Shah for inviting us to attend the opening ceremony of the biggest T20 tournament in the world. From the very beginning, he has been very encouraging and has been promoting differently-abled cricket in the country,” said DCCI President Dr Mahantesh GK.

The DCCI president has been an advocate for the development of the gentleman’s game for the differently-abled for several years now. He used to work primarily for developing the sport for the visually challenged as part of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) before he was unanimously elected as president of the DCCI.

In an interview with Sportslumo, Dr. Mahantesh spoke about the future of cricket for the differently-abled, his journey over the years and his sense of happiness on being part of an official BCCI event. 

You have worked tirelessly for the development of cricket for the differently-abled. How do you see the sport developing in India?

Firstly, I would like to say that getting invited by Mr Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary makes us feel very proud. It also gives a positive feeling that differently-abled cricket will have a better and brighter future. I have been working towards promoting cricket for the blind for the past 10 odd years. This support from the BCCI will help me work towards cricket for other differently-abled players. I think it is a great beginning and will be a game-changer for the differently-abled cricket movement in the country. Not only in India because BCCI being the big brother, it will also have a huge impact in the international arena for cricket for the differently-abled.

As President of DCCI, What are your plans for developing the sport in the future?

I want to work closely towards promoting cricket for other differently-abled persons as well, since I have been mostly working for promoting cricket for the blind. I will try to implement a common structure across all forms of differently-abled cricket and attempt to bring a common structure in all of them. We also want to try and create as many platforms as possible for all types of differently-abled cricket, so that the aspiring players can get a chance to play at different levels irrespective of their disability. We will come up with an annual plan and create a good roadmap so that every player can know what is happening and when. They can start preparing and also dreaming of playing at different levels, including representing the country.

You said that Jay Shah has been promoting differently-abled cricket for a long time. Can you please tell us about his contribution? 

Right from the moment, he was appointed as the Secretary of the BCCI, Mr. Shah has been genuinely interested in supporting and encouraging us. Whenever we went to the BCCI, he met us with a lot of affection and very positively he said that the BCCI was with us and that he would be happy to take us to the next level.

Considering the close ties with BCCI, will differently-abled players have a chance to interact or train with the senior Team India players?

The possibility is there. For blind cricketers, we did have some mainstream cricketers coming and mentoring our players. Officially being a part of the BCCI, I think that will open up many avenues for our players to get the opportunity to train and interact with Team India players.

Like the IPL, is there a chance of us seeing a franchise-based tournament for differently-abled players in the future?

Why not? Definitely. We were trying to organize a Premier League for the blind so hopefully, down the line, we will have a chance to host a premier league for the differently-abled.

What does it mean to you as DCCI president to maybe get a chance to see differently-abled players playing under BCCI’s banner?

Personally, I am very excited and looking forward to it. I am sure my players will feel very enthusiastic and excited. Official recognition from the BCCI is still due actually. Hopefully, they will do it very soon. They have included it in their agenda for the upcoming meeting on April 16, so there they may formally pass it.