New Delhi
The 3rd Test National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2024, organized by the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), commenced with a grand inauguration ceremony graced by Santosh Kumar Rai, District Magistrate South-East, Delhi, as the Chief Guest. Dignitaries from the cricket and corporate domains, including Dev Dutt, a BCCI Certified Coach, adorned the event, affirming their support for the championship.
Addressing the audience, Santosh Kumar Rai expressed his pride in being associated with the IDCA National Cricket Championship, acknowledging the platform it provides for specially-abled individuals to exhibit their talents.
Sumit Jain, President of IDCA, underscored the significance of the tournament in promoting world-class cricket while fostering diversity and inclusion. He lauded the commitment of partners towards mainstreaming hearing-impaired cricketing talent, aligning with the ‘DaretoDream’ movement aimed at empowering these players.
Roma Balwani, CEO of IDCA, expressed gratitude for the esteemed dignitaries’ presence and highlighted PMās advocacy for disability sports and sign language usage, which promotes awareness and inclusivity for the hearing-impaired community.
Reena Jain Malhotra, Patron of IDCA, extended a warm welcome to the guests and underscored the significance of the championship uniting players from different states, thanking support partners for their belief in the cause of hearing-impaired cricket.
Serum Institute of India, as the Principal Partner, reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing sports talent among specially-abled youth by supporting IDCA’s efforts in organizing the tournament. Together, they aim to elevate the stature of the championship and empower hearing-impaired individuals to excel in cricket.