Lions Blind Cricket president shares what makes him smile

Giving hope, assisting, inspiring and giving opportunities to people is what makes the president of Blind Cricket South Africa smile. Isaac Bidla is also the Lions Blind Cricket president and captain of the South African national team, Proteas Blind, in One Day International.

The 38-year-old trains at the DP World Wanderers Stadium and spoke to the Gazette about his cricketing career, and what Casual Day (September 1, in support of persons with disabilities) meant to him.

“In support of Casual Day, I make sure that I purchase Casual Day stickers and specially branded merchandise and also encourage different organisations and people to do the same. I am always reminding them that Casual Day provides much-needed funds for the work of hundreds of schools and organisations in the disability sector,” said Bidla.

Recalling his youth, Bidla said his parents realised that when he was two years old he was partially sighted, and they thought it was the end of the world. But for him, being partially sighted had in no way limited his opportunities and had helped him discover his passion for cricket, leadership roles and changing people’s lives.

“In 2003, I was introduced to blind cricket by my late brother Sonwabile Bidla, at Efata School. I fell in love with the game instantly and haven’t stopped since. I have collected a few international, national, and provincial trophies and accolades over the years which sit with great pride in my living room – I am eternally grateful for what the game has given me.

“I aspire to promote and enhance the game of cricket among blind people. I will continue to work towards advancing and transforming blind cricket in South Africa and to initiate, develop and maintain a structure for the smooth running of cricket for the blind in the country and as well as at regional and grassroots level.”

However, there were challenges and Bidla said blind cricket lacked exposure and financial support. “When I go to training, I am using my money with no assistance… But because I love the sport and my province and country, I always find the means to do so.”

In conclusion, he hopes to create a barrier-free environment for all blind cricketers. He hopes to see blind cricket forming part of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) planning, budgeting and implementation procedures and its cricketers contracted to CSA and getting paid.

Bidla shared a few highlights of his cricket career:

• Administrator of the Year award at the 2021 Gauteng Sports Awards
• Finalist for Gauteng Sports Personality of the Year in 2022
• World Blind Cricket elected him as the regional development director to assist in developing blind cricket in African countries
• Played in the 2022 T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in India and the team reached the semi-finals
• Leading Lions Blind Cricket to win the 2021 and 2022 South African National Blind Cricket Tournament and 2023 One Day Cup.

Related articles:

Lion’s Blind Cricket provincial captain doesn’t let disability define him

DP World Lions cricketer Raisibe Ntozakhe stresses the importance of setting goals