AGRA, OCT 2: The stage is set for the inaugural Radiant World Divyang Cricket League, with the colourful and specially designed team jerseys unveiled in Agra, marking a significant milestone for competitive cricket among differently-abled players.
Organised by the Divyang Cricket Control Board of India in collaboration with Radiant Sports Management Pvt. Ltd., the league will commence on October 6 at JB Cricket Ground, Bamrauli Katara, Fatehabad Road, Agra, bringing together 80 differently-abled cricketers from 22 states of India, besides players from Sri Lanka, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates.
Designed on a franchise-based model inspired by the Indian Premier League, the tournament will feature six teams — Mumbai Maverick, Punjab Panther, Kolkata Knight Rangers, Chennai Charge, Delhi Dynamoz and Hyderabad Hawk. The participation of players from India and neighbouring countries is expected to give the competition an international character while creating a broader platform for differently-abled sporting talent.
The jersey unveiling ceremony witnessed the presence of prominent members of the organising body, players, team representatives and sports personalities. Chief guest and social worker Arjun Singh Lodhi described the hosting of the league as a significant achievement for Agra and recalled his association with an earlier Asia Cup cricket event held in the city. He said he was pleased to once again be associated with a major cricketing occasion in the capacity of president.
Former Founder-President of the Divyang Cricket Control Board of India, Ikram Hussain, said the league was the outcome of several years of planning and preparation and had finally reached the competitive stage. He said players from different parts of the country had been eagerly awaiting an opportunity to compete on a professional platform and demonstrate their cricketing abilities before a wider audience.
Swatantar Kumar, Joint President of the Divyang Cricket Control Board of India, said considerable attention had been given to the design and quality of the playing kits for the participating franchises. He said vibrant team-specific jerseys had been prepared to give the league a professional identity, while match balls conforming to Test-cricket-level standards had also been arranged.
The organisers have also planned an extensive digital and television outreach for the tournament. Matches will be available through live streaming on YouTube, while the final is scheduled for telecast on DD Sports, potentially taking the performances of the participating cricketers to audiences across the country.
Beyond the sporting contest, the league is being positioned as an initiative aimed at strengthening the visibility and recognition of differently-abled athletes. By bringing players from multiple states and countries into a structured franchise competition, the organisers seek to provide them with opportunities to demonstrate their skills, gain competitive exposure and become part of a more inclusive sporting ecosystem.
The event also carries significance for Jammu and Kashmir, with Sham Singh Langeh, President of the J&K Divyang Team and Zonal Head of the Divyang Cricket Control Board of India, extending his best wishes to the organisers, participating players and franchises. He termed the league an important platform for differently-abled cricketers to showcase their sporting abilities beyond regional boundaries.
Tournament Assistant Organising Secretary Mueen Babuji, Uttar Pradesh President Irfan Ali, Rajasthan Rangers captain Raj Kumar Chaudhary, Satyendra Rana, Ramesh Chandra Pehalwan, Divyang Cricket Control Board of India Secretary Haroon Rashid and CEO Ghazal Khan were among those present at the jersey unveiling ceremony.
With the jerseys now unveiled and teams preparing for competition, the October 6 opening will mark the beginning of a tournament that combines franchise-style cricket with an emphasis on sporting inclusion, giving differently-abled cricketers a dedicated stage to compete, perform and gain wider recognition.
