India to host blind cricket Twenty20 World Cup

India is set to host the inaugural blind cricket Twenty20 World Cup in December.

David Townley, president of the World Blind Cricket Council, says the group voted during a two-day meeting in the United Arab Emirates that ended Sunday to hold the tournament in Bangalore starting on Dec. 3. Its schedule has yet to be finalized but the tournament will last a maximum of 14 days.

He says council members Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, Nepal, West Indies and England will participate.

The council also decided to stage a one-day World Cup in 2014 with a host to be chosen in September. Townley says Pakistan and South Africa have expressed interest but no formal bids have been submitted.

India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh co-hosted the 2011 World Cup.

One of the highlights of the meeting was a report on Sight Classifications and Sight Testing Procedures by Hassan Minto, representing Sight Savers International.

Ian Martin (ECB) and Jon Long of the International Cricket Council (ICC) reported on the progress of building working relationships between the blind cricket and other forms of disability cricket, as well as the relationship between the WBCC and ICC.

Iftikhar Hamdani, Executive Assistant Manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, said: “We are very pleased to be selected as the venue for the meeting of the members of the World Blind Cricket Council. The group has not met for a while and their meeting here is a great privilege to showcase what our Emirate can offer in terms of hosting delegates from different nations. This is also a good opportunity to show them the beauty of Ajman.”