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issue 12 september-october 2006
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by george

It is evident that sport for the disabled person is an area that is totally neglected in our country. There is a lack of funds, a lack of resources and no proper government policy. This is not the case at the international level where sportspeople with all kinds of disabilities are supported and cheered all the way to the winning post. But here, unfortunately, the disabled person is struggling to follow his sport.

Mainstream sporting bodies do not consider sport for the disabled person as part of their agenda. Take the example of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. It keeps talking about the abundance of resources it has at its disposal. Why can’t it share just a bit of this—say, one per cent—with the blind or the deaf? That would make a huge difference and help disabled cricketers to come up in a big way.
It is also time that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry for Youth Affairs and Sports allocate resources for programmes that support sport for the disabled. This will encourage young people from all over the country to come forward and participate in activities that nurture a sporting spirit.

We need a level playing field and we need it now. Do write to us with your suggestions on how to make sport for the blind more visible. For, sport is not just about playing to win. It is more about learning to live life.

George Abraham
Editor, beyond the I

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