By OBAKENG MAJE
It is all systems go for the North West to host the Blind Cricket National Championships competition in Potchefstroom. All nine provinces will converge in Potchefstroom to participate in the Blind Cricket National Championships competition that will commence from 26 April until 1 May 2024.
The North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe said, the Blind Cricket adheres to certain adaptations to make the game more accessible to blind and visually impaired persons. Sebolecwe further said, it is the most unique version of the game that boasts major adaptations of the rules, as well as the equipment.
“The North West Blind Cricket in partnership with the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation (ACSR), as well as the JB Marks Local Municipality, recently held a media briefing at JB Marks Cricket Stadium, introducing Blind Cricket to the media.
“We are happy and excited as the department to host Blind Cricket Championships competition within the province. This will be the first time the province hosts such competition on our fields,” he said.
Sebolecwe added that this is history in the making. He said they are all equal as human beings, so it is important that blind people are also included within the sports fraternity.
The North West Cricket president, Samuel Bareng said: “The North West Blind Cricket was established on 13 August 2022 and launched in Vryburg. The aim is to develop access to blind cricket in the province. The people who are blind, partially blind and partially sighted, are also given a platform to showcase their cricket talent.
“The North West Dragons are eager and excited to play during the games. They put on hard work to put the province on the map. The North West Dragons have two players in the national squad.”
Bareng said the numbers will surely increase since North West Cricket managers are looking for new members. He said the North West Dragons have a total of 21 team members.
Meanwhile, the former North West Blind Cricket team coach, Stephen Visser said the province could have invested more in the development by creating a league, instead of rushing to host this kind of competition. Visser said there is no progression because the players are still under-developed and they only train when they have to play games.
“This T20 tournament was postponed from December 2023. The players are scarce because they stay in different areas. The North West Cricket is capable of hosting these kinds of tournaments, but they could have nurtured players first.
“There is also lack of financial backing, but I think so far, everything is on track as I heard that various stakeholders are on board. My concern is what will happen to these players after this tournament? Said Visser.
He said more camps are needed as most of the players that can be accessible are from the North West School of the Blind and sometimes the school refuses to release them.
Picture: The blind cricket players during the match/Google
The Guardian 