Jahangeer Ganaie

Specially-abled Ayaz to play for team India in 2019 World cup

Specially-abled Ayaz to play for team India in 2019 World cup
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Anantnag: In a first, a Kashmiri disabled youth is all set to play cricket at the international level as the youth from South Kashmir has been selected for disabled cricket team of India and will play in the upcoming world cup.
24-year-old Ayaz Ahmad Ganaie, son of Nazir Ahmed Ganaie of Kshroy Kalan Bijbehara has been selected to play for team India for the world cup, slated in India from 15 February 2019.
Ayaz who was disabled by birth as his left leg is shorter compared to his right leg, told ‘Kashmir Vision’ that he struggled for more than three years at the national level to get an opportunity to play internationally.
“I believe that this opportunity would change my entire life,” he said, adding that the day he got selected festivities have started at his home.
Ayaz was picked for the 16 member squad for the upcoming world cup, scheduled to be held in India and this is the first time that India disabled team is participating internationally.
Before three years, around one thousand disabled sports persons across India were chosen by Board of Disabled Cricket Association and they were given training in many states for about two years, Ayaz said.
Among 1105, top performers were chosen for more training and among them 16 got selected for the international team, he said.
“We are very much excited and happy as our son has got selected for international format of the game,” said father of Ayaz, adding that “my son had a penchant for cricket since childhood and never let his disability to hold him back from following his passion.”
He was class 1st student when he began playing cricket, said his mother.
Ayaz, a 10th class dropout and father of three-year-old son has been associated with sports as he was selling sports items in Sangam area besides playing cricket, she added.
Ayaz undoubtedly has brought laurels to the village as well as to the state despite being physically challenged, said his friend, Sharif Hussian.
“To prepare for the world cup, we have to start training again from 20th of this month at Poundicherry and I hope I will perform well at the international level as I have already performed at the national level,” Ayaz said.


Jahangeer Ganaie

Jahangeer Ganaie is a reporter and covers regional news and can be contacted [email protected]

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