Blind cricket stars prove that vision should never define potential
As the world marks World Sight Day on 8 October, the DP World Lions Blind Cricket team is showing that visual impairment should never stand in the way of sporting dreams.
For the players, cricket is about much more than runs, wickets and results. It has become a powerful platform for building confidence, independence and a sense of belonging while challenging perceptions about what people with visual impairments can achieve.
At the centre of that journey is Isaac Bidla, coach of the DP World Lions blind team and President of DP World Lions Blind Cricket.
“Blind cricket gives players a sense of belonging and a strong belief in themselves. When you see what these youngsters can achieve on the field, you realise that vision should never define someone’s potential.”
Blind cricket is adapted to allow blind and partially sighted athletes to compete using specialised equipment, including an audible ball. Players are classified from B1, for those who are completely or almost completely blind, to B2 and B3, for athletes with varying levels of remaining vision.
The game relies heavily on sound, spatial awareness, communication and teamwork.
But Bidla believes its biggest impact happens beyond the boundary.
“It is about changing the mindset,” he says. “The players start to understand that there are things they can do that they may have thought were impossible.”
That message is also reflected in the DP World Lions’ success. The team recently won the 2026 BCSA Premier Division title, highlighting the quality and determination within the squad.
Through its partnership with Lions Cricket, Telkom has also supported the wider cricket ecosystem, including talent development, community participation and other cricket programmes.
Telkom Chief Marketing Officer Gugu Mthembu says sport has a unique ability to bring people together.
“Sport has an incredible ability to connect people and create a sense of belonging.”
As World Sight Day shines a light on eye health and access to care, blind cricket is delivering another powerful message: people should not be defined by what they cannot see, but by what they can achieve.
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