Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiative (APPI) aims at empowering and transforming blind women through cricket
The project involves working closely with special schools for the blind and educational institutions and welfare organizations for the blind; for the mobilization and training of the targeted women and girls. Apart from these media advertisements, contacts of existing women and men cricket players are also utilized.
5 days long cricket coaching camp is the major component of the project; visually impaired women are trained in batches of 30, and a total of 100 coaching camps were organized, various aspects of blind cricket, including training on physical fitness, physical strengthening, self defence techniques and awareness on government entitlements are covered during the coaching camp. All women and girls who are blind partially sighted have been supported with cricket uniforms too.
Apart from cricket coaching the targeted beneficiaries are trained in self–defense techniques via 3 days long training program. Awareness sessions to strengthen the entitlement rights of women and girls who are blind partially sighted also have been undertaken through the project. These sessions focus on enhancing awareness of blind women on various rights, and entitlements, including government schemes and programs too.
Blind schools and institutions working for the blind are supported with cricket kits, consisting of 10 cricket balls, 4 bats, 2 wickets, 4 gloves, a guard and other kit materials, this will contribute to the promotion of blind cricket in rural areas. 3 days long ToTs, Training of the Trainers have been organized, 40 master trainers from each project state will be trained in blind cricket, they will be supporting in further promotion and training of blind cricket in rural India.
Stakeholders such as umpires, community people and families of the visually impaired have been sensitized on various issues of blind women; this will be achieved through school visits, community events, parental interaction, home visits etc.
Coaching camps will be followed by friendly matches, these matches provide opportunities to strengthen the cricketing skills of women and girls who are blind partially sighted. Best-skilled players are identified during these matches. The best performers in the matches are awarded prizes too. Skills of these selected women cricketers will be further strengthened via training. These skilled women cricketers will be provided with opportunities of triangular series, and State and National level match too.