Int’l cricket tourney kicks off in bid to conquer disability

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FE Team | Published: September 03, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

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Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina Wednesday urged all not to neglect the physically and mentally-challenged people and children as they could show their mettle if there is scope for them, reports UNB.
"It's my fervent call to the teachers of all educational institutions and guardians as well as people from all strata not to neglect the disabled people and children because if opportunities are created for them, they could show their mettle and worthiness," she said. Sheikh Hasina said this while inaugurating the five-nation ICRC T20 International Cricket Tournament (Sept 2-10) for the physically-challenged people at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the morning.
The tournament kicked off in the city aiming to promote the cause of social inclusion of the physically-challenged people and encourage more cricketing nations to have their own cricket programmes for such people.
The ICRC, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Bangladesh Cricket Board and Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan-BKSP, is hosting the nine-day event. Hasina said her government has been trying hard to ensure the welfare of the physically-challenged people as they are being given training and education. An academy is also being set up for them.
The PM urged those who are associated with sports to create more scope for those physically-challenged people in games and sports.
She said it is the decision of her government to find the dormant talents of the physically and mentally-challenged people and thus ensure their due place in society.
The PM said the country's physically-challenged players have already clinched 70 medals, including 21 of gold in the Special Olympics. The blind cricketers of Bangladesh also have shown their success, she added.
Mentioning that disability is not a disease, rather it is a kind of challenge, the PM said the players with physical disabilities conquered the challenges setting examples that disability could never stand in the way of pursuing a dream.
Sheikh Hasina expressed the hope that this tournament would go a long way in creating awareness about the capability of the physically-challenged people. It will also help understand collective responsibilities towards the people with physical disabilities, she said. Extending her heartfelt thanks to ICRC for organising the competition, the PM assured it of providing her government's continuous support for similar initiatives in the future.
Apart from hosts Bangladesh, England, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan are participating in the tournament.
A total of 26 physically-challenged persons were selected from 149 participants from across the country and were given training under eminent BCB coaches.
The opening match of the maiden ICRC International T20 Cricket Tournament for people with physical disabilities between hosts Bangladesh and England was abandoned Wednesday due to wet outfield for incessant rain.