: Belongs to a far off Tehsil Malhar of district Kathua, Anekha Devi has made it to the Indian team for the First-ever Women’s World Cup Cricket for Blind being hosted by three India from November 11 to November 25 at twin venues of New Delhi and Bengaluru.
Daughter of Bachiter Singh of Machhedi (Bajohi) Bani Assembly constituency of district Kathua, Anekha represents Delhi, the reason being J&K don’t have any women cricket team as such.
“Since we don’t have women’steam, Aneka, who used to train with J&K men’s team in Jammu, shifted to Delhi to pursue her education from Delhi University. She represent Delhi at the National level last year and continued to train there. Considering her improved performance, she has been selected in the Indian team,” informed general secretary of Cricket Association for Blind J&K, Ajay Kumar.
In total, eight teams are taking part in the World Cup involving England, Nepal, Australia, Nepal,Pakistan, Sri Lanka, USA and host India.
The competition shall beheld at New Delhi and Bangaluru while matches featuring Pakistan have been scheduled at third host city, which is yet to be decided.
Falling in B2 category, Anekha was part of the 56 players selected nationwide, who later attended the training and selection camps. Finally 16-member Indian team was announced for the prestigious event.
The Squad:B1 category: Simu Das (Delhi), P Karuna Kumari (Andhra Pradesh), Anu Kumari(Bihar), Jamuna Rani Tudu (Odisha) and Kavya (Karnataka). B2 category: Anekha Devi (Delhi), Basanti Hansdah (Odisha), Simranjeet Kour (Rajasthan), Sunita Sarathe (Madhya Pradesh),Parbati Marndi (Odisha). B3 category: Deepika T C (Karnataka-Captain), PhulaSoren (Odisha), Ganga S Kadam (Maharashtra-Vice Captain), Kavya NR (Karnataka),Sushma Patel (Madhya Pradesh), Durga Yevle (Madhya Pradesh.
The event is being hosted by Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), the cricketing arm of Samarthanam Trust for Disabled, reflecting India’s leadership in creating equitable platforms for athletes with disabilities, especially women.
Earlier, the Indian women’s visually impaired team scripted history by winning gold at the 2023 IBSA World Games, where Cricket for blind made its debut. India defeated Australia in the finals, making a glorious chapter in women’s blind cricket.
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