Partially sighted provincial Lion’s Blind Cricket captain Buhle Bhidla continues to beat the odds despite living with a disability.
Born and bred in the Eastern Cape Bhidla said, “I thought I was going to be a soccer star because growing up I was good at playing the sport. I continued playing soccer when I got to university which is when I realised that I was partially blind.”
Bhidla added according to his mother, that his eyesight problem began at the age of four.
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“I am not sure where the sight problem stems from because even though my father is blind, it was due to an injury and was not hereditary.”
The 29-year-old added that his poor eyesight did not hinder him from trying other sports.
“I was introduced to blind cricket in 2013 by my brother who has since passed on. The very same year, I received a national offer to represent South Africa provincially which is when I realised that I’m good at the sport.”
The cricket player also completed a diploma in entrepreneurship at the Tshwane University of Technology.
“I’m currently busy with an advance diploma in business administration and work.”
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Bhidla said last year was a momentous year for him.
“In 2021, I was appointed as captain of Lions Blind Cricket in the triangular series. I believe a good captain brings out a good team, and a good team brings out a good captain.”
The cricket player added that some of the challenges he continues to have included bumping into certain objects.
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