V.P. Vishnu and Muhammad Harfan, visually challenged cricketers from the capital city who were part of the team which emerged champions in the quadrennial 40-over ‘blind cricket’ World Cup held in South Africa from November 27 to December 9, have news to cheer.
(The 17-member Indian contingent had beaten Pakistan in the final to emerge world champions).
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has promised government jobs to the duo who hail from economically backward families.
Mr. Chandy felicitated Vishnu, from Peyad in the capital, at his office on Wednesday. Harfan, from Nilambur, could not make it to the function as he was indisposed.
Vishnu told the Chief Minister of Harfan’s and his background and sought a government job. Mr. Chandy immediately directed Social Welfare Department Director V.N. Jithendran to find suitable jobs for them at the earliest.
The visually challenged team has players in three categories — B1, B2, and B3. The players in the first category are completely challenged. The players in the second and third categories can see up to six and nine metres respectively.
Vishnu and Harfan were in the third category. Vishnu said he was grateful to the Chief Minister for having offered him a job. “It is a double delight as we were able to win the cup and could find a means of livelihood,” he told The Hindu .
