England lets down blind cricketers

The National Cricket Association of the Blind has been led up a dark alley by the British High Commission in Sri Lanka. President of the Association J. H. R. Benedict and Treasurer M.R.B Perera are facing the possibility of not being able to attend the 12th Annual General Meeting of the World Blind Cricket Council scheduled to be held at Lords in London from October 26 to 29.

Benedict who is also Vice President of the world body speaking to The Sunday Times said: “We first submitted our passports with all the documents the High Commission wanted on September 25. Eight days later our passports were returned. Several reasons were given and some of them were quite ridiculous”.

Benedict added: “I have attended previous meetings held in Australia, South Africa and Pakistan. I never had problem. Following the rejection I wrote to the hosts who in turn emailed the High Commission. Even the England Wales Cricket Board has written to High Commission. We have spent nearly Rs 60,000 up to now with no result. The High Commission even has our original bank savings book. With greatest of difficulty I persuaded Sri Lankan Airlines to hold our seats until Tuesday. If we do not get our passports by tomorrow, Sri Lanka will not be represented for the first time at this forum given that we were also one of the founder members of the world Body back in 1996. One reason they gave for our refusal was that we might find jobs there. Now you tell me can a blind man find a job that Easily in London of all places.”