CM Patnaik felicitates 7 visually challenged cricketers for achievements at IBSA World Games 2023
Sep 08, 2023
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], September 8 : Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday felicitated seven visually-challenged cricket players for their remarkable achievements at the IBSA World Games 2023 held in England recently.
In recognition of their outstanding accomplishments, the Chief Minister presented a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh to each of the women players from Odisha, namely Padmini Tudu, Basanti Hansda, Jhili Birua, and Phula Soren, who were part of the Indian women's team that secured the gold medal.
Congratulating the cricketers, the Chief Minister said, "The players have made us all proud with their outstanding achievements in spite of all the challenges they faced in reaching this level. Their remarkable talent, dedication, and hard work is an inspiration for all”.
MD. Jafar Iqbal, Nakula Badanayak, and Pankaj Bhue, from Odisha, were each presented with Rs 15 lakh as they were part of the Indian Men's team, which won the silver medal.
IBSA World Games are organized every four years by the International Blind Sports Federation.
Earlier, Delhi High Bar Association (DHCBA) on Monday felicitated India's blind women's cricket team and announced a financial support of Rs 10 lakh to the members of the team.
The women's team won a gold medal after defeating the Australian team in the final at the World Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Blind cricket was included in the World Games for the first time and India's women's team won everyone's heart after winning gold in the maiden final.
The Cricket Association for the Blind in India and the Indian Blind Sports Association have come together to show solidarity to promote sports across the country for the visually impaired.
Coming to the historic match, India restricted Australia to 114/8 in the allotted 20 overs and then chased down the revised target of 42 in the fourth over. Blind cricket in IBSA World Games made a debut last week with England and Australia playing the first match. This was the first final in the World Games and India won the ultimate showdown beating Australia by 9 wickets.
