Encouragement for sports in India is not much compared to academics. And especially for the blind, there is almost none. VT Seva supported Nethra Vidyalaya provides free education, food and boarding to hundreds of students from kindergarten to graduation with a Bachelor's degree. The institutions give equal importance to sports and arts and we have been successful in enabling our students to win laurels for the country. VT Seva CEO and Nethra Vidyalaya visionary - Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji believes in empowering the visually challenged with comprehensive education and growth opportunities in sports, arts and academics with the best of the facilities.
Here are key highlights from the recent past -
In 2020 & 2021, VT Seva supported Nethra Vidyalaya students & alumni represented the Andhra Pradesh state cricket team in the National T20 championship and emerged as champions competing against 23 states in India. Being champions back-to-back years is a huge accomplishment.
VT Seva has contributed $12,000 (8 lakh Indian rupees) appreciation prize money to the Andhra Pradesh Cricket team through our CEO Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. Rs 50,000 was given to each of the 16 players to aid them in better training and performance, winning laurels for the nation.
2021 Win - IndusInd Bank Nagesh Trophy National Level Cricket Tournament for the Blind
2020 Win - Nagesh Trophy National Level Cricket Tournament for the Blind
In 2019, our Netra Vidyalaya students have represented India in ATTF (Asian Track & Turf Federation) games and won 9 Gold, 5 Silver and 1 bronze medals.
2019: Asian Track & Turf: Wins
2021 Covid challenge
In 2021, due to Covid pandemic, there was no organization in Andhra Pradesh who would come forward to conduct selection trials for forming Andhra Pradesh team that would later represent the state at national T20 Cricket tournament. Our Nethra Vidyalaya took the responsibility and successfully conducted the trials a month ago. 3 players from Nethra Vidyalaya - Mr. Punya Srinath (10th class student) and Mr. Gopal & Mr. Ravindra (Alumni) got selected for the state team. Not only did our institution support our 3 students with expenses for travel and training, but also enabled other visually challenged enthusiasts to form a team for the state.
Prize Money encouragement
As Nethra Vidyalaya came forward and organized the selection trials for selecting the best team, the cricket players after winning the tournament came directly from Bengaluru to Vijayawada to meet him in person and expressed their gratitude to Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji felt extremely happy for their victory and presented 50000 rupees for each of the 16 players as a token of encouragement.
The players were pleasantly surprised while taking the prize money and stated that they did not receive such huge prize money of 800,000 rupees from any tournament till now. Even in this tournament as the national champions, they have received 100,000 rupees only for the whole team. They mentioned that providing facilities and training expenses will go a long way in realizing the dreams of the visually challenged.
Your support and Reach
If you are a cricket league or a cricket fan or the one who believes in empowering youth with sports and especially sports for the visually challenged, please reach out to us at cricketforblind@vtsworld.org to support our efforts in making a positive impact in the lives of visually challenged through sports education and participation opportunities all over the world.