A blind cricket academy with a vision

KOCHI: Sijumon, the captain of the blind cricket academy in Kerala, has a unique journey to reach his favorite sport. He starts with a two-and-a-half-hour walk through the forest, crossing rivers along the way, until he reaches Kuttampuzha with his father. From there, he relies on infrequent jeep services to reach Pooyamkutty and then catches a bus to Kothamangalam and Aluva. Despite his partial eyesight, Sijumon confidently goes on to play cricket and excel in the sport.

Sijumon, who is the son of a honey-harvester, is one of many inspirational stories at India’s first-ever cricket academy for visually impaired children. Currently, the academy has 17 students from different parts of Kerala. Started as weekend classes, the academy has now organized a 10-day camp at the School for the Blind in Aluva, where the students stay at a sports hostel. The academy’s goal is not only to train cricketers but also to help visually impaired children develop life skills. According to Rajaneesh Henry, the secretary of the Cricket Association for the Blind in Kerala (CABK), cricket can be a way for blind individuals to integrate into society.

The academy is funded by the CABK’s profits from organizing the Asia Cup and World Cup, as well as a grant of 10 lakh rupees from the state government. Muhammad Farhan, a Keralalite who was part of the Indian team that won the World Cup, also contributed 80,000 rupees. The players at the academy were selected from various tournaments across the state and their passion for cricket has placed them in a good position.

Sijumon, who admires Virat Kohli, follows the cricketer’s scores whenever he can, despite his village lacking basic amenities like electricity. The children at the academy have become independent individuals through cricket and are now leading normal lives, according to Saju Kumar VS, the assistant coach of the World Cup-winning Indian blind cricket team and current coach at the academy.

Siyadh, a fully blind player who achieved a 95% score in the 10th standard while studying in a regular school, praises the analytical skills developed through playing cricket. He aspires to become a civil service officer in the future.

Despite the hot weather, the children at the academy are fully engaged in their practice match, undeterred by the rising temperatures. They have experienced true adversity and are grateful for the opportunity to play cricket. Akhil, a tech-savvy student, even provides a running commentary on the academy’s WhatsApp group without any formal training.

“They are not disabled, they are differently-abled,” emphasizes Saju.