Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman – a premier destination for professionals and leisure seekers, is hosted members of Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) who are in UAE to play a series of three One Day Internationals and one T-20 with England Blind Cricket team - the official affiliate of England and Wales Cricket Board ECB from April 4 - 8 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The two teams have already played two cricket series in 2002 and 2006 – both won by Pakistan.
Established in 1997, the PBCC is a sole administrative authority over cricket for the blind in Pakistan, a full member of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and founder member of World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC). Making an exceptional mark the PBCC reached in all the three editions of Blind Cricket World Cup and won the last two World Cups consecutively. Besides this it also won five International series out of six it played.
Shehab Lotfi, General Manager of Ramada Ajman, said: “We are thankful to Pakistan Blind Council for choosing Ramada Ajman. We fully support the Sight Savers Cricket Series between England and Pakistan as partner hotel. We hope that both teams will enjoy their stay with us which is now a cricket friendly hotel in the country.”
Appreciating the efforts of PBCC Iftikhar Hamdani, Director of Sales & Marketing, said: “This is a very good addition to the beautiful game of cricket. All of us at Ramada Ajman support PBCC and expect a big turnover of cricket lovers at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on April 4. I salute the organizers of blind cricket association for their achievements, as they are best players in the world, in terms of winning the game as well as organisation.”
Cricket for the blind is played with a white audible ball made of hard plastic carrying ball bearings inside which creates sound when rolled on the surface. There are three categories of visually impaired in a team i.e. (B1) Totally Blind (no light perception up to light perception), (B2) Partially Blind (maximum visual acuity equal to or less than 2/60), (B3) Partially Sighted (Visual acuity between 2/60 and 6/60). The team composition is minimum 4(B1), 3 (B2) and maximum 4 (B3).
It is the first time that the matches will be played with audible white balls making it easier for the blind to comprehend the direction of the ball. The two teams will also play the first ever day and night and One Day International in Sharjah, thus adding one more feather in the cap of Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Talking on the occasion Syed Sultan Shah, Chairman PBCC said: “Cricket for the blind has played a vital role in the capacity building of the visually impaired in the fields of leadership, discipline, ambition, confidence, and team work, competitive spirit besides contributing to physical fitness, posture and mobility. It has also enabled the society to see a non-stereotypical image of blind people which is positive and action oriented.”
Yousuf Haroon, GM PBCC said: “We are thankful to Sharjah Cricket Council for providing the utmost support in conducting such a series. This series is a prelude to anticipate the opportunities of conducting the Blind Cricket World Cup in UAE.”
He requested the corporate sector to support this noble cause not only from the commercial point of view but also considering the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The council also requests affluent person to come forward and play their part in the promotion of this great game.
Mazhar Khan, Administrator of ECB, welcomed PBCC in UAE and assured of providing the best services during their series with England and Wales Cricket Team. Meanwhile, Ali Jafry, member of Sharjah Cricket Council said: “Cricket in Sharjah is back and after the successful Afghanistan and Canada cricket series, Bhashundara Cup was held and now we are hosting the Blind Cricket Series which is a big achievement for us as it is being held in the UAE for the first time and played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.”
PBCC requested all the cricket lovers in UAE to come forward and enjoy the matches at Sharjah Cricket Satdium. Entry to the matches is free.
