Report of Inauguration: Group B Nagesh Trophy Nat’l T20 Cricket

Belgavi, Karnataka: The inauguration of the 5th IndusInd Bank Nagesh Trophy National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind was inaugurated here at the Maheshwari School for the Blind amidst dignified presence and fanfare in the presence of the esteemed Chief Guest for the occasion, His Divine Grace Shree Chandrashekhar Shivacharya Swamiji, Hukkeri, Hiremath, Belgavi. This edition’s Nagesh Trophy is conducted at 8 cities across India including Belgavi with Karnataka State Cricket Association for the Blind acting as the host to the Group B matches that will be played at Belgavi.

The other guests present at the occasion were Lalitha P. Vadlamni, Divisional LPG Sales Head, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Belgavi; Somashekar Siraguppi, Former India Karnataka State Cricketer; Mahantesh Patil, Consultant Head, AQUES; Anand Joshi, Honorary Secretary, Maheshwari School for the Blind; Santhosh Chinagudi, Prajavani Belgavi; Mr Paul Mudda Divisional Manager Canara Bank, Veeresh GK and Uday Kumar Y, Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled.

Speaking on the occasion, His Divine Grace Shree Chandrashekhar Shivacharya Swamiji said, “I am here for the inauguration and you will see me on the ground on Monday to cheer the teams. Entire Belagavi should be on the ground in the next 5 days to cheer cricket for the Blind”. He blessed all the players and wishes everyone the best.

“It is my privilege and I am honoured to be here. I am sure Nagesh Trophy will be a platform where blind cricketers can prove their talents and go on to represent the country. The administration will provide all the support needed to conduct the tournament in Belgavi successfully”, said Somashekar Siraguppi, Former India Karnataka State Cricketer

Nagesh Trophy was launched in memory of SP Nagesh, Founder President, Cricket Association for the Blind in India and Founder Trustee, of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled in the year 2018. The launch of the tournament brought together the entire blind cricket community on one bigger platform, supporting the cause and creating a milestone in Blind Cricket history.

The welcome address was given by Mahantesh G.K, President, Cricket Association for the Blind in India. “National Tournament for the Blind has come a long way. It has shaped thousands of cricketers in the last 30 years. It has moulded and provided the opportunity to players to choose the various walks of life bringing in the much-needed confidence and self-esteem. I hope that this tournament will pave a path for new starts to be unveiled. I wish all the teams the very best to perform to their full capabilities”, said G.K Mahantesh, President, CABI.

An invocation was performed by the students of Maheshwari School for the Blind and the school also received cricket kit which was handed over by Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar. Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled will be hosting the tournament under the aegis of Cricket Association for the Blind in India.

28 teams and Railways will be part of the most prestigious tournament in blind cricket in the country. Chandigarh, Belgavi, Pondicherry, Chennai, Ajmer, Jabalpur and Mumbai will be hosting the 69 matches that is scheduled to be played across the forty day tournament. Group F matches have already been played at Chandigarh in which the hosts topped the group.

Match Schedule as follows.