Latur: On the occasion of National Sports Day, Dreams Cricket Coaching Foundation, Latur, in association with the Cricket Association for the Blind of Maharashtra (CABM) and the National Association for the Blind, organised a Blind Cricket T10 match on August 29, 2026 — the first cricket competition for visually impaired players ever held in Latur.
The match was played between Government Blind School, Latur (GBSL 11) and Grameen Shramik Pratishthan, Budhoda (GSP 11). Chasing a target of 45 runs in the 10-over contest, Government Blind School, Latur won the match by 7 wickets to be crowned champions, while Grameen Shramik Pratishthan finished as runners-up.
A total of 22 players — 20 boys and 2 girls, aged between 10 and 25 — took part in the fixture, playing under a theme the organisers described as “two teams, one spirit, unlimited possibility.”
Match Highlights:
- Winners: Government Blind School, Latur — victorious by 7 wickets
- Runners-up: Grameen Shramik Pratishthan, Budhoda
- Trophy presentation: Trophies and certificates were presented by Member of Parliament Dr. Shivaji Kalge
- Road safety message: Players received match jerseys carrying a #FollowTrafficRules message, handed over in the presence of Assistant Police Inspector Manoj Jiro, who spoke to the players about traffic safety
- Free coaching: Dreams Cricket Coaching Foundation will provide free cricket coaching to visually impaired players going forward
Among the guests present were Dr. Vitthal Lahane (plastic surgeon), Sachin Madhav Gore (Secretary, Cricket Association for the Blind of Maharashtra), Amol Nilange, Harish Kale (Swadhar Kendra), Dr. Nikhil Kale (Director, Dreams Cricket Coaching Foundation), Nilesh Poddar, Chetan Sonwane and coach Manoj Pitle.
Speaking after the match, Dr. Nikhil Kale said the aim of the event was to create new opportunities and spread awareness about cricket among visually impaired students in Latur, and that the foundation intends to continue such initiatives every year.
Press Coverage
More photographs from the day are available in our Photo Gallery.