With Bangladesh, India and Afghanistan beaten, England and Pakistan will face each other tomorrow (September 10 11h00 Dhaka, 05h00 GMT) in the final of the first-ever international cricket tournament for people with disabilities.
Captain of Pakistan team, Hasnain Alam says: “Cricket has given me a new life. I was in the army. I was injured and my left foot was amputated. Basically cricket is the only thing that helped me have a normal life. I'm now even a better person because of the game.”
Alam believes if people with disabilities get involved in sports, they can become role models. “Things are impossible only until you take the first step,” states Alam. “You have to take the first step yourself, and your goals will become easy. But first, your own will power is necessary.”
Ian Salisbury, Assistant Coach for England’s team says: “I’ve been working with these guys for the last three months. They’re amazing to work with. It’s the most inspiring coaching I do.” With more than two decades in the professional game, Salisbury has also trained Surrey’s Cricket team and England Under-19s and says there’s no difference between those teams and this one. “You look for strengths and then you try and make them super strengths and if they have weaknesses you try and erase the weaknesses.”
The tournament created by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) aims to help reduce stigma and discrimination associated with disability. Through sports, cricket in this case, ICRC hopes to shift community attitudes about persons with disabilities by highlighting their skills and aptitudes. Christine Cipolla ICRC’s Head of Delegation in Bangladesh says: “There should be no barrier for people living with disabilities to play and enjoy the most popular sport in Bangladesh which is cricket.”
The tournament, which is the first of its kind, has been organized by the ICRC with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan and the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, officially opened the tournament.
Shotlist
Location: Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Length: 2:49
Format: HD H264 mov
Sound: English & Urdu
ICRC ref: AV357N
Date: September 7 & 8, 2015
Copyright: ICRC access all
0:00 – 0:14 Pakistan captain playing (Hasnain Alam)
SOUNBITE Hasnain Alam, Captain, Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association (in Urdu)
0:14 “Cricket has given me new life. I've been injured twice, I used to be normal before. I was in the army. I was injured and my left foot was amputated. Basically cricket is the only thing that helped me have a normal life. I'm now even a better person because of the game.
0:38 “If people with disabilities get involved in sports, they can become better people and even role models. And we are also human, just like anyone else. If we are given the opportunity, we can play a positive constructive role in society's development and also contribute towards the progress of our country.
0:57 “Things are impossible only till you take the first step. You have to take the first step yourself, and your goals will become easy. If you have the will power and you want to do something, no one can stop you. If you just stay at home, there won't be any support for you. ICRC can only help if you come to the ground. We need to come to the ground and then you can expect more people to support. But first, your own will power is necessary.”
1:22 Bangladesh team playing
1:32 English team watching
SOUNBITE Ian Salisbury, Assistant Coach, England Physical Disability Cricket Team (in English)
1:39 I’ve been working with these guys for the last three months. They’re amazing to work with. Great guys but amazing cricketers too. It’s the most inspiring coaching that I do.”
1:48 “It’s no different. You look for strength and then you try and make them super strong and if they have weaknesses you try and erase the weaknesses.”
1:56 Pakistan team practicing
2:01 Bangladesh team
2:07 English team bowling
2:17 Bangladesh supporters
SOUNDBITE Christine Cipolla ICRC’s Head of Delegation, Bangladesh (in English):
2:34 “There should be no barrier for people living with disabilities to play and enjoy the most popular sport in Bangladesh which is cricket.”
2:42 audience shots
2:49 END
