4th National Disability Tournament to play host to 400 Divyang cricketers from 24 states with Svayam championing accessibility in India’s sports

Udaipur : Svayam, a not-for-profit initiative of the Sminu Jindal Charity Trust dedicated to furthering India's accessibility agenda has joined hands with the Disability Cricket Council of India (DCCI) for the 4th National Disability T20 Tournament for the second time. This marks Svayam’s fifth partnership with DCCI to elevate accessibility in sports, reflecting Svayam’smission to create equal opportunities for people with reduced mobilities across different areas, including sports.

The 4th National Disability T20 Tournament is scheduled to take place from (15th - 25th) October 2024, in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and shall witness participation from nearly 400 Divyang cricketers from 24 statesspanning 67 matches across five venues - Udaipur's Field Club, BN University Ground, Geetanjali Ground, Narayan Para Sports Academy, and Karanpur Cricket Ground.

In last year’s Championship (held from 28th September to 8th October), Svayam awarded 63 players with a cash reward of INR 11,000 each to the Man of the Match title winner, and as part of its commitment, Svayam will present the ‘Man of the Match’ award to 67standout players throughout the tournament this year as well.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder-Chairperson of Svayam said, “We are deeply honored to continue our collaboration with DCCI and champion the incredible talent of para cricketers. This tournament stands as a beacon of inclusion, showcasing the unwavering spirit and resilience of these para-cricketers. It is a powerful reminder that true strength lies in breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible. At Svayam, we remain committed to fostering a society where accessibility and opportunity are not privileges but fundamental rights. We extend our best wishes to all the players and look forward to many more such empowering events in the future.”

The National Disability T20 Tournament has gained momentum over the years, encouraging divyang players to follow their passion and aim for excellence in cricket. The tournament is expected to draw widespread attention, underlining the need for continued efforts toward accessibility and inclusion in Indian sports.

Conveying elation at the opening of the event, Mr. Ravikant Chauhan, General Secretary of DCCIsaid,"We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with Svayam, who has been supporting the Disability Cricket Council of India (DCCI) for many years. Through this partnership, Svayam is actively promoting accessibility to raise awareness and help elevate differently abledcricket and cricketers to new heights. The 4th National Physical Disability T-20 Cricket Championship, 2024 in Udaipur, showcases the incredible talent of our Divyang cricketers and highlights the importance of inclusion in sports. Together, we are ensuring that every player, regardless of mobility challenges, can participate without barriers. This initiative also helps us raise awareness about the importance of accessible transportation and infrastructure, which will open doors for players from rural India to pursue their passion. With Svayam’s support, we are committed to creating a future where determination knows no limits and every individual has the opportunity to thrive."

Svayam joined hands with the Disability Cricket Council of India (DCCI) and holds a year-long association dedicated to fostering inclusivity and dignifying the lives of individuals with reduced mobility. Aiming to encourage individuals with reduced mobility to participate in sports actively, Svayam has been working tirelessly towards creating accessible spaces and ensuring that no one encounters obstacles while pursuing their passions, since the last 2 decades; wherein Svayam has been collaborating with DCCI in events like The International Physically Disabled T20 Cricket India vs England (Ahmedabad, 2024),  The 3rd National Physical Disability T-20 Cricket Championship, (Udaipur, 2023), The Sardar Patel National DivyangSvayam T20 Cricket Cup (Chandigarh, 2022) and The HAP Cup (Panchkula, New Delhi, 2022).

Through their collaborations with DCCI, Svayam continues its mission to raise awareness about the significance of accessibility in sports, furthering India’s accessibility agenda to newer heights.