Bhubaneswar, Nov. 3: Around 60 visually impaired girls are undergoing extensive cricket coaching in the city.

Hailing from various districts of the state, the girls are being trained by senior cricket coach Ajaya Kumar Samal at Satya Sai Women's College.

The initiative by Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Handicapped (VRCH), a body under the ministry of labour and employment, and the Odisha Cricket for the Blind, a body under the Cricket Association for the Blind in India, aims at increasing participation of differently-abled girls in various sporting events across the country.

"The state has produced a number of male cricket players who are shining at various cricket tournaments across the world. But there are very few differently-abled female players who have got the chance to showcase their talents. So, we initiated the training session to encourage female sporting talents from the state," said VRCH assistant director R.K. Sharma.

After the training got over, a cricket tournament would be organised from November 6 to 8. Four teams would be formed and 12 matches played during the tournament. After that, a team of 11 players would be formed.

"The selected team will be facilitated to play in zonal, regional and national cricket tournaments for visually-impaired women. If a few of them play well, then they will be encouraged to play for the national blind women's cricket team," said Sharma.

The girls are being given lessons on holding the bat properly and using the audio ball to sense the direction of the ball. That apart, training on how to use various playing equipment are also being given.

"Skills on the movement of blind fielders and use of particular verbal signs on the field are also being imparted," said Sharma.

The participants are upbeat and are learning the tricks of the trade fast.

"I was interested in cricket since childhood but never got a chance to play because of my disability. But, I am happy to get this chance to play and I will utilise the opportunity to the full and aim to play at national-level matches," said Sandhya Rani Patra, who has come to the camp from Nayagarh.