The Guyana Blind-cricket team is currently in preparation mood ahead of the Ninth West Indies Cricket Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired Regional Tournament to be hosted by Trinidad & Tobago next month.
Under the guidance of experienced national blind-cricket coach Bharat Mangru, 20 blind and visually impaired cricketers are going through their paces at the national gymnasium and national stadium on Sundays.
A final squad of 14 will be selected after a period of encampment from June 24 to 27 at the national gymnasium and national stadium before the team depart for the July 8 to 16 tournament.
The players who are B-1, B2 and B3 are from Essequibo, Berbice, Linden and Georgetown are trying their best to be match ready while at the same time raise the much needed funds to travel to the twin island republic.
The total budget is just about $2.5M and to date the team has only raised just about $700,000.
The squad comprises of individuals who are always going the extra mile but badly need the assistance of government and the business community but not limited to.
The team don’t just see blind-cricket as a competitive sport but also a vehicle for the empowerment of persons who are blind and visually impaired.
Last year the Guyana Blind-cricket team ventured to St. Lucia where the government contributed $2M. towards the trip. The team will welcome similar assistance as they seek to compete and empower themselves to greater heights.
A B1 player is on who is totally blind, B2 is a player is partially sighted while a B3 player is partially blind.