The second edition of the Blind Twenty20 Cricket Tournament got under way here at Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium on Friday. Adviser to the Chief Minister on Technical Education Arshad Umerzai was the chief guest on this occasion and formally inaugurated the tournament. Director Social Welfare Department KP Naeem Khan, officials of the Peshawar for Blind Cricket Club, players and small number of spectators were also present.
Team from Punjab, Sindh Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are taking part in the tournament. The aim and objective of the event is to short-list probable out of the tournament for the forthcoming Blind Twenty20 World Cup to be played in India next year.
Speaking on this occasion, Arshad Umerzai lauded the organizing committee for regularly organizing the event wherein blind crickets taking part. He also congratulated the members and officials of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Association for winning the Blind Cricket World Cup for two times.
Center Pakistan is full of talented players but they need opportunities and such like tournaments would help blind cricketers to come up and show their skills at national and international levels. He said the government is also initiated various steps for the encouragement of special people and funds regarding their activities has already been increased so that activities for special players could be organized in befitting manners.
He said establishment of blind school in all districts would also give ample opportunities to the blind youth to get education and play their due role in the overall progress of Khyber Pakhunkhwa in particular and other province in general.