Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) set another landmark towards promoting inclusive sports as the Women’s 6th T-10 National Cricket Championship for Deaf came to a successful wrap-up. The tournament, conducted over five days by Uttar Pradesh Deaf Cricket Association (UPDCA) along with Deaf Women Welfare Foundation (UP) (DWWF-UP), supported by U P Deaf Cricket Association was hosted at the iconic K.D. Singh Babu Stadium, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
The championship witnessed ten teams from different states, which represented the skill and spirit of deaf women sports persons from all over India. Maharashtra was the champion, having beaten Delhi in a nail-biting final match by 42 runs. The event was graced by the presence of Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Brajesh Pathak, who presided as the Chief Guest during the closing ceremony.
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Commending IDCA and its partners for extensively promoting inclusivity in sports, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Brajesh Pathak said, “I am honoured to be part of the IDCA Women’s 6th T-10 National Cricket Championship for Deaf – a remarkable event that showcases the extraordinary talent and resilience of deaf women athletes in our country. I appreciate the whole team of organizers for providing a platform that makes hearing-impaired athletes realize their potential to compete and associate with mainstream sport. I give assurance of the government’s ongoing support to make such inclusivity in sports prevail.”
IDCA’s Women’s 6th T-10 National Cricket Championship for Deaf Celebrates Talent and Inclusivity
The tournament aimed to connect deaf women to mainstream sports while providing them with opportunities to display their talent on a national stage. Teams from Punjab, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi, Chandigarh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh took part in this first-ever collaboration between DWWF-UP and UPDCA.
The closing ceremony saw a stellar array of dignitaries, including Vishwas Swaroop Agarwal, Director, India Pesticides Ltd., Madhuri Halwasiya (President, DWWF-UP), Nivedita Singh (Vice President, DWWF-UP), Sumit Jain (President, IDCA), Roma Balwani (CEO, IDCA), Dr. Mridula Goswami, Prominent Educationist, Ms. Pooja Chadha, Entrepreneur, Ms. Roma Agrawal, Fashion Designer, Sanaya Kapur, F&B specialist, Ms. Vipul Varshaney, Heritage Architect, Mr. Gaurav Prakash, Publisher, Safina Khan, IDCA Hon. Brand Ambassador Organising Committee – DWWF President Madhuri Halwasiya,UP DWWF-UP, Vipul Gupta, Gen. Secretary – DWWF-UP, Nivedita Singh, Vice President.
Director of India Pesticides Ltd., Vishwas Swaroop Agarwal, highlighted how crucial it is to focus on participation rather than just winning, praising all the players for their commitment and enthusiasm. “It is a source of great pride and happiness to see the successful completion of the IDCA Women’s 6th T-10 National Cricket Championship for Deaf. This championship is a reflection of the remarkable talent, grit, and perseverance of deaf women cricketers all over India. These cricketers are an inspiration to us all, demonstrating that nothing is impossible with determination and hard work,” he noted.
The success of this championship really highlights IDCA’s dedication to uplifting deaf athletes through the sport of cricket.
Since it started back in 2020, under Sumit Jain’s leadership and Roma Balwani’s generous pro bono work as CEO since 2022, IDCA has evolved into the governing body for deaf cricket in India and has become a proud member of the Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC). The organization continues to work closely with ICC to promote cricket among deaf cricketers globally.
Addressing the audience during the closing ceremony, President of IDCA, Sumit Jain, stated, “This championship is not just about cricket; it’s about inclusion and empowerment. It is encouraging to witness such motivating performances by deaf women athletes who keep shattering barriers and redefining possibilities. At IDCA, we strongly believe that sports possess the special power to cut across barriers and unite people. This tournament is a perfect reflection of the manner in which we can provide opportunities for specially abled people to excel and motivate others.”
CEO of IDCA, Roma Balwani, echoed similar sentiments: “Witnessing these talented players showcase their abilities has been truly rewarding. The championship has reaffirmed our vision of bringing inclusive platforms for specially abled athletes. I would like to express my deep appreciation to all our partners for believing in our vision and supporting us in making this championship a grand success. Together, we’re not just promoting sports; we’re also fostering real change in society by advocating for diversity and inclusivity.”
The event was supported by prominent sponsors such as Serum Institute of India-Cyrus Poonawalla Group, KFC India, Hero MotoCorp’s CSR initiative ‘We Care,’ Dabur India, NTPC Northern Region HQ, FICCI FLO, Lucknow Chapter, India Pesticides Limited, Kaizzen, Impact Research & Measurement Pvt Ltd., RB Foundation, and Nykaa.
With strong institutional backing and increasing corporate sponsorships, IDCA is set to take deaf sports to new heights while encouraging many more sportspeople to chase their aspirations. The IDCA 6th T-10 National Cricket Championship for Deaf wrapped up on a fantastic note—showcasing incredible talent, promoting inclusivity, and setting the stage for even greater accomplishments in deaf sports throughout India.
Highlights of the IDCA Women’s 6th T-10 National Cricket Championship for Deaf
- Winner: Maharashtra
- Runner-Up: Delhi
- Player of the Series: Needa Zabi (Maharashtra)
- Best Bowler of the Series: Namita Pardhi (Maharashtra)
- Best Batswoman of the Series: Shavi Mishra (Uttar Pradesh)
- First Semi-final: Delhi vs. Andhra Pradesh
- Delhi won by 7 wickets.
- Player of the Match: Shraddha Vaishnav
- Second Semi-final: Uttar Pradesh vs. Maharashtra
- Maharashtra won by 10 wickets.
- Player of the Match: Needa Zabi
- Final Match: Delhi vs Maharashtra
- Maharashtra triumphed with a 42-run victory.
- Player of the Match: Needa Zabi
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