After finishing as the runners-up in 2025, the North West Dragons blind cricket team is hoping to come out triumphant in this year’s edition of the Blind Cricket Premiership Division T20 national tournament, which takes place in Polokwane, Limpopo, from 1 to 4 October 2026.

Team manager, Samuel Bareng, revealed that players are working around the clock to reach peak physical condition ahead of the prestigious tournament.

“We are busy preparing the team. Our players are eager to put everything in training, improve their tactics and skills so that when we get to the tournament, we are going to perform and not just go there for sake of going,” Bareng said.

“Remember, we lost in the finals last year when we competed against Central Gauteng. So this time around, we just want to make sure that we bring the cup home,” he added.

The blind cricket team was established in 2022 and later collaborated with the professional North West Dragons cricket franchise, who  helped the side emerge as a competitive force in the blind cricket fray. Last year, the team finished as runners-up after losing the final to the DP World Lions.

They now return with ambitions of lifting the national title while representing the visually impaired community.

Nevertheless, head coach, Jacob Kaweng, explained that player retention remains a major hurdle due to limited employment opportunities.

“The biggest challenge for us is, there are no job opportunities for people who are living with visual impairment. So, time and time again, if we want to organise a strong team that can represent the province, it becomes an issue of players leaving for greener pastures, to other provinces,” said Kaweng.

Despite these circumstances, Kaweng believes the region continues to produce talented players capable of sustaining progress.

“Given those kinds of circumstances, we have a lot of talent in Bokone Bophirima. It is that kind of a thing that makes us able to move positively. 

“We started in 2022 until today, we are still pushing forward involving new ones. And those who are talented help the young ones, and make team to win,” added Kaweng.

Blind Cricket South Africa spokesperson, Issac Bidla, noted that national T20 competitions are great player preparation platforms for the global stage, while helping expand the sport locally.

“These tournaments are also important for the Blind Proteas. As we prepare for the World Cup next year, having strong domestic competition gives our players more opportunities to compete, improve their skills, gain match experience and challenge themselves against quality opposition.

“A stronger domestic structure ultimately helps us build a stronger national team capable of competing internationally,” added Bidla