Visually impaired cricketers on Limbo of attending World Cup

Ganesh Singh, Leroy Phillips and Kevin Douglas are the Guyanese named in the West Indies Blind team for the Blind Cricket World Cup in India.
However, their plight is finance which has been the struggle ever since blind cricket was introduced in Guyana.

According to Singh, who along with Phillips will play in the B1 category, the local association has received support from the National Sport Commission (NSC) covering the cost of their tickets from Guyana to the United States of America but the expenses for the remainder of their journey which stands at G$1.1 million remains in limbo. “We’re still not sure if we’re going because we have acquired the tickets to travel from here to New York from the National Sports Commission, but we are still awaiting words from the Ministry of Sport, the Honourable Nicolette Henry about the tickets from New York to India because each territorial board were required to cover the airfare for their players to go to India. With the local hosting agency there being the Indian association, covering meals, accommodation and transport. So basically we’re still in limbo as it regards our travel to India” detailed Singh.
Singh said the situation is frustrating because it has been the same for 10 years; “We’ve been going through this process for the past 10 years since we started blind cricket. It is frustrating and it is something that we have grown accustomed to, but it is almost crunch time and it is not like travelling to the Caribbean where you can just get a flight at ease. This is to India and as it gets closer flights will not be available and prices will go up significantly.”
The tournament will attract 12 teams and retired India batting genius Rahul Dravid is the patron for this edition.
Phillips said they have been practicing and preparing entirely for the tournament and since it is his first he is looking forward for a big tournament but he would like to encourage persons who are capable of supporting them through this process to come on board.
Meanwhile, President of the Blind Cricket Association, Cecil Morris, acknowledged what blind cricket has to offer thus he made a special appeal to the public. “I’ve been in blind cricket since the inception and I know what it can do. Therefore, I am making a special appeal to everyone to make this possible.”
Phillips and Singh are members of the B1 unit which comprise of five members who are totally blind. If they missed the tour then it would be impossible for the West Indies team to participate because they must field at least four B1 players. Kevin Douglas will play in the B3 category which is for partially sighted players.
Phillips and Singh agreed that it is critical for them to get to India and they are asking for the kind support of the public.
Teams are scheduled to arrive in Delhi, India on January 28 with competition expected to get underway on the 31st, West Indies will play host and World Champions India in their opening match. The opening ceremony will take place on Monday 30 January in Delhi India and the final is set for February 12.
Persons interested in contributing to the cause can call the Guyana Society for the Blind on 226-4496.
The following is a list of players and officials who will travel from the West Indies to India to participate in the second T20 world cup of cricket for the blind.
B1-Anthony Cummins-Barbados, Jason Ricketts and Marlon Cole – Jamaica, Ganesh Singh and Leroy Phillips – Guyana.
The B2 category are those with limited vision who may still require assistance.
B2-Ricardo Manning, Mark Goddard, and Kci Ward Ryan – Barbados, Gregory Stewart, Caneel Graham, Alvin James – Jamaica.
B 3 category are those players with enough vision to move around independently.
B3-Haldene Forde – Barbados, Dennol Shim, Lo-Shane Myles, Mark Sweeney – Jamaica and Kevin Douglas – Guyana.
Management team: Stevenson Evelyn Manager, Glendon Coke, Coach, Carrison Henry, Physio.
In addition, Bhawani Persad will also be in India to undertake the following: Attend the annual general meeting of WBC LTD as a delegate representing the WICCBVI board.