The Assam government has taken a significant step toward inclusive sports development with the Appointment of World Cup-Winning Blind Cricketer Simu Das as a physical instructor. The decision was approved by the Assam Cabinet on December 18 and announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, marking a landmark moment for blind cricket and women athletes with disabilities in the state.
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Appointment of World Cup-winning blind cricketer marks historic move
The Appointment of World Cup-Winning Blind Cricketer Simu Das will place her under the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare, where she is expected to contribute to grassroots sports development and inspire young athletes. Das was a key member of the Indian women’s team that lifted the Blind Women’s T20 World Cup in Colombo, delivering a standout performance in the final against Nepal.
In the title clash, Das scored a crucial 86 runs and also picked up an important wicket, playing a decisive all-round role in India’s emphatic victory. Her performance earned her the Player of the Match award, further strengthening the case for the appointment of World Cup-winning blind cricketer to a government role.
From hardship to national recognition
The appointment of World Cup-winning blind cricketer also highlights an extraordinary journey of resilience. Hailing from Nagaon district in Assam, Simu Das was born fully blind and grew up facing severe financial hardships. With no stable housing and the responsibility of supporting a brother with multiple disabilities, her path to international cricket was far from easy.
Through structured training programmes run by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India and the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, Das steadily honed her skills and earned a spot on the national team. Earlier, the Assam government had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh in recognition of her achievements, a move that complemented the appointment of World Cup-winning blind cricketer as a long-term institutional measure.
Officials and stakeholders believe the appointment of World Cup-winning blind cricketer could serve as a precedent for other states, encouraging stronger support systems for blind and disabled athletes. Advocates of blind cricket say this decision could open doors to improved funding, better visibility, and greater inclusion for women with disabilities in elite sport.
By formalising the appointment of World Cup-winning blind cricketer, Assam has sent a powerful message that excellence in sports deserves recognition regardless of physical challenges, potentially reshaping the future of inclusive athletics in India.
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