The Assam cabinet has approved the appointment of a visually impaired cricketer who won the World Cup as a physical instructor.
Assam: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Assam Cabinet has decided to appoint Simu Das, a member of the Indian cricket team that won the Women’s T20 Blind World Cup on December 18, as a Physical Instructor under the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare.
Das, a resident of Nagaon district in the state, played a crucial role in India’s historic victory at the recently concluded Blind Women’s T20 World Cup in Colombo, scoring 86 runs and taking a vital wicket in the final against Nepal. She was awarded Player of the Match for her all-round performance.
Earlier, the state government had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for Das, a B1-category player who was part of the Indian team that won the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup. This move is being hailed as a significant institutional step towards recognizing achievements in blind cricket, a field that has historically received limited public support and recognition.
Das’s journey has been marked by years of hardship. Born completely blind and raised in severe poverty, she grew up without a permanent home and shouldered significant family responsibilities, including caring for a brother with multiple disabilities. Despite these challenges, she pursued education and training through programs run by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India and the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, eventually earning a place on the national team.
Her performance on the global stage, coupled with her personal resilience, has made her a prominent figure in India’s blind sports movement. Officials and sports bodies have described the Assam government’s support as a potentially transformative moment for athletes with disabilities, encouraging other states to adopt robust support systems for players who have traditionally been marginalized from mainstream sports.
Those involved in blind cricket have said that this decision could set a precedent for greater inclusion, improved funding avenues, and broader recognition for women with disabilities competing at the elite level.
