BCCI CEO Rahul Johri meets blind cricket body officials

The Indian blind cricket team's continual quest for recognition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) received a boost after the board's CEO Rahul Johri met with officials of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) here.

In the meeting held on Thursday afternoon, Johri hosted CABI president Mahantessh GK and general secretary John David, among others, and is said to have told them that the board will take up the issue of granting recognition to the blind cricket body in the BCCI's next meeting.

"We had a very positive meeting with Johri," David said. "He sounded serious about supporting, promoting as well as creating more awareness about blind cricket. He said he will take up the issue of granting recognition to blind cricket in the board's next meeting, which will be held in the next 10-15 days," he added.

Johri, on his part, said, "We are proud of the cricketers for retaining the Blind Cricket World Cup. We, at BCCI, support CABI by working towards helping visually impaired cricket players."

Last week, Committee of Administrators (COA) chairman Vinod Rai said the BCCI will provide monetary rewards for players of the World Cup-winning blind cricket team soon, adding that the board will also make announcements about developing blind cricket.

The Indian blind cricket team, which retained the Blind Cricket World Cup last month by defeating Pakistan in the final, has for long battled to come under the aegis of the BCCI.