One can understand and visualise the fact that cricket for the blind is developing because the institutions of normal cricket and some dignitaries are now recognising it.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and famous scientist, Dr A. Q. Khan have started taking interest in the Cricket for the Blind and this is the most positive sign for us.

Dr A. Q. Khan has played a vital role in accepting to become the Patron of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council for the development of cricket for the blind in Pakistan. This will help us in making Pakistan cricket for the popular on National and International levels.

As an example, it would be of interest to know the PBCC arranged an unofficial match between the blind cricket team and sighted team of National Bank of Pakistan in April 2000 and this was telecast twice on television. This match has not just helped in increasing cooperation between blind cricket players and sighted cricket players but also helped in generating self-confidence in the blind cricket players.

The Council is playing its role fully, in education, training and rehabilitation of its players. The Council has helped the blind by providing them books in Braille, issuing scholarships and arranging jobs.

The Council has helped five blind sportsmen in getting jobs in this brief span of time.

The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council is the only organization for representative games on National and International levels.

It has its own office and staff and large sums are spent every month.

The Council does not have its own resources to meet its expenses and is facing the problem of lack of funds. This organisation tries to meet its obligations with personal aid provided by its officials and friends. Many times loans have to be taken in order to run the organization.

This is a sad fact and moreover, Government and private institutions do not seem to help the organization although appeals have been made many times.

If the situation remains as it is, then the existence of the organization will be impossible.

The Council feels proud as it has represented the Nation on International levels and has also made the people aware of the capabilities of the blind.

It has taught the blind the manners of living, helped in their education, training and settlement. The council has given the blind their due position amongst the world of sighted people after highlighting their hidden qualities and capabilities in a brief span of time. Which, interestingly, the Government institutions have been unable to do in last 55 years even after spending huge amounts.

The 2nd World Cricket Cup for the Blind is scheduled to be held at Chennai and Bangalore in India during December 2002. The PBCC wishes anxiously, to participate but finance is the main hurdle in front of us to take part in the event.