SLC, South Africa raise funds for Sri Lanka visually impaired team

Sri Lanka's visually impaired cricket team has had its bid to attend the World Cup for the Blind in South Africa bolstered, thanks to funds raised by Sri Lanka Cricket and the visiting South Africa team. SLC and Standard Chartered had organised three fundraisers for the Sri Lanka Visually Handicapped XI. Angelo Mathews presented the Sri Lanka Visually Handicapped XI a cheque for the 925,000 Sri Lankan rupees (USD $7300 approx.), on Tuesday.

The money had been raised via tickets for a meet-and-greet with both teams, a coaching camp for kids, and an online auction for the chance to meet the players at the ground and receive an autographed ball.

"This is an additional dimension to international cricket tours and a chance for us all to support our national visually handicapped team," SLC cricket operations manager Carlton Bernadus said. "They recently trounced the touring Australian Visually Handicapped XI 4-0 in a 40-over series. The team has high hopes for the World Cup in South Africa."

The World Cup for the Blind will be held in November.