Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host the 4th T 20 Blind Cricket World Cup 2024, as the 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of World Blind Cricket decided in Bangalore on December 16, 2022.
President World Blinds Cricket (WBC) Syed Sultan Shah President presided over the meeting through video link, as he was not granted a visa to visit India along with the team to participate in the 3rd edition of T20 Blind Cricket World Cup 2022.
Pakistan has been awarded the hosting of the 4th Edition of T-20 World Cup Cricket of the Blind to be held in Pakistan from November 18 to December 3, 2024. The final of event will be held on 3rd December to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2024.
According to Pakistan Blinds Cricket Council (PBCC) press release, the World Blind Cricket Ltd unanimously has passed a resolution to regret the Indian government’s insensitivity in refusing Pakistan tem visas on political grounds, in the ongoing Blind Cricket T-20 World taking place in India from 5th to 17th December 2022.
WBC is of the view that Pakistan is currently top ranked T-20 Blind Cricket team and the Indian Government’s insensitivity has deprived Pakistan to exercise equal rights to take part and win this title. Visa denial on political grounds has caused an irreparable loss to World Blind Cricket Ltd in particular and Global Blind Cricket in general because 7 times World Cup finalist team (Pakistan) was a serious contender to win the subject world title.
WBC urged the states that Sports should be kept above regional politics and particularly the Special Persons mega sports events would 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 (UNCRPD) which induces States to provide equal sports playing opportunities to Persons with Disabilities so this charter should be implemented in letter and spirit.
The elections of the Executive Committee of World Blind Cricket Ltd were also held during the AGM. Nine (9) out of Ten (10) full member countries’ representatives participated in this meeting.
Syed Sultan Shah has been elected unopposed as the President of WBCL for the term of the next two years 2022-24. Syed Sultan Shah is the Chairman of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council and remained the President of World Blind Cricket thrice earlier from 2012-2014, 2014-2016 & 2020-22. This is his 4th term in this premiere role. The newly elected Executive Committee of World Blind Cricket Ltd comprises the following.
Syed Sultan Shah (Pakistan) President, Bhawani Persad (West Indies) First Vice President, Rajnesh Henry (India) Second Vice President, Raymond Moxly (Australia) Secretary General, Maher Yousaf Haroon (Pakistan) Director Technical, Pawan Ghimire (Nepal) Director Finance, David John (India) Director Global Development.
