"There was a time when I used to cry over my blindness, but now I have a reason to smile. Today I feel like I have won another battle for my country," said an elated Major Pawan Ghimire after his organization, Cricket Association of the Blind, Nepal (CAB Nepal), won the Special Award during the Pulsar Sports Award 2069 on Tuesday.
NSJF awarded CAB Nepal for leading the blind cricket team of Nepal to the World Cup Cricket for Blind held in Bangalore, India in 2012 as well as for its programs for social inclusion of blind women through cricket.
Ghimire, who lost his eyesight in an ambush set up by the Maoists about a decade ago, played a key role in establishing CAB Nepal six years ago with the support of Pakistan Blind Cricket Association (PBCA) founder Agha Shaukat Ali.
Despite the tragic event in early 2060 BS when Ghimire was caught in an ambush while on duty at the Kalikot-Jumla Highway, the Nepal Army officer didn´t give up hope and encouraged other blind friends to form CAB Nepal, drawing inspiration after receiving a training from PCBA.
In a short period after its establishment, CAB Nepal has already organized four national and five regional tournaments for blind men. The national team of blind men has participated in three international tournaments so far, including the World Cup last year. There are 450 male blind cricketers in Nepal.
Similarly, Ghimire and his team started working on mainstreaming blind women through sports. CAB Nepal also organized seven regional and national level tournaments for blind women. There are 120 female blind cricketers in Nepal, the only country in the world with a national cricket team of blind women.
These achievements have made CAB Nepal popular around the globe. CAB Nepal has been nominated for the Beyond Sports Award to be held in the USA later this year.
Source : Republica , 2nd July 2013
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