Sri Lanka Cricket sponsored the Sri Lanka Blind Cricket team that will participate in the 5th edition of the 40-over Blind Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place from 09th to 22nd January 2018 in UAE and Lahore.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sponsorship package of Rs. 1.1 million covers cricket equipment and air travel of the 17-member squad and 3 officials that will take wing to Dubai on January 6.
The SLC also provided the 40-over Blind Cricket World Cup team with side wickets of the NCC, Center wickets of the Surrey Maggona and also a coach to conduct practices targeting the world cup.
In addition to this sponsorship, The SLC also sponsored the team’s Annual subscription of GBP 200 (approximately Rs. 40,000) payable to the World Blind Cricket Council for 2017 and Airfare for 2 members to attend the AGM in Bangladesh at a total cost of Rs. 219,000 via its charity arm CRICKET AID
Sri Lanka Cricket’s Vice President, Mr. K. Mathivanan, who is heading international cricket and overlooking Cricket Aid under the guidance of President Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala handed over the sponsorship to the Team Manager of Sri Lanka Blind Cricket, Mr. H.G. Chaminda Pushpakumara Karunaratne at the SLC headquarters, recently. Mr. Chinthaka Edirimanne, Head of Operations of Domestic Cricket of SLC was also present at the occasion.
Sri Lanka Blind Cricket team, coming under the auspices of the Sri Lanka Cricket Association for the Visually Handicapped, will be led by Chandana Deshapriya. India has won the title, since 2012. Sri Lanka made it into the semifinals during the year 2014.
The participating countries on a round robin basis comprise Sri Lanka, reigning champions India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Australia.
