The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has taken a significant step toward inclusivity by proposing the formation of two national disability cricket teams in India and in a letter addressed to BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, ECB Secretary Richard Gould outlined a visionary plan to popularize the sport among diverse communities.
ECB’s proposal to Jay Shah on disability cricket
The ECB suggests creating two international teams: Blind XI, A standalone format for visually impaired players. Pan-Disability Format, A combined team consisting of deaf, intellectually impaired, and physically disabled cricketers. The goal is to host the inaugural pan-disability tournament involving five nations in 2025.
Currently, India has the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), a BCCI sub-committee. However, the Indian board independently doesn’t organize any disability cricket tournaments.
Globally, disability cricket lacks structure, regulation, and support. Different codes exist for blind, deaf, intellectual impairment, and physical disability cricket, but coordination and strategy are lacking.
There are approximately 1.3 billion people with disabilities worldwide. This untapped market represents an opportunity for growth and outreach. Gould emphasizes that now is the time to prioritize disability cricket collectively. Financial constraints persist, but the need to turbocharge the game transcends limitations.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reached out t BCCI – India with a proposal to establish two national disability cricket teams in India. #tnpl2024 #Sportswiz #KLRahul #SuryakumarYadav #INDvsSL #NorthIndians #SmritiMandhana #IshanKishan #VidaaMuyarchi #T20Cricket pic.twitter.com/vbBbC622vf
— SPORTS WIZ (@mysportswiz) July 18, 2024
The ICC supports this approach, emphasizing member-driven steps. The proposal aims to unite cricket boards to promote disability cricket globally. Beyond medals, this initiative fosters inclusivity, empowerment, and community engagement.
By creating pathways for disabled cricketers, the ECB and BCCI can inspire a new generation of players. Discussions will take place during the ICC Annual Conference in Colombo. The ECB’s vision aligns with the spirit of sportsmanship, equality, and resilience.
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