Shillong, Nov 7 (ANI): Raising new hopes for the blind, a first ever cricket tournament for the visually impaired was recently organised here.

Three teams representing the Guwahati Blind School from Assam, the Montford Blind School from Tura in West Garo Hills district and the Jyoti Sroat School for Blind from Shillong participated in the tournament.

In the final match, Jyoti Shrot School for Blind emerged victorious by defeating Montford School of Blind by one wicket.

Sandeep, a participant, said that he wanted to see more such tournaments happening in future.

Bertha G. Dkhar, principal of Jyoti Sroat School for Blind, and visually impaired herself, said that the aim of organising such tournaments was to promote cricket for the blind in the northeast region.This tournament is to promote cricket for the blind in the northeast because we hope that by holding this tournament, other schools, for the blind will also pick up interest and try to upgrade themselves in the line of cricket," said Dkhar.

S. Mazumdar, assistant national coach for World Cup for the Blind during 1998 and 2002, said that tournaments of this nature would help the visually impaired to build confidence, imbibe a competitive spirit, discipline, willpower and also help in their body coordination.

Cricket for the blind in the northeast region was first conceived by Jyoti Shrot School for Blind in 2004, in line with the National Cricket Tournament for the Blind, but could only be held this year with the support from the Meghalaya Cricket Association. (ANI)