The three-day cricket tournament for the specially-abled cricketers was inaugurated by Ashutosh Baranwal, Principal Commissioner, GST and K.K. Yadav, Secretary Sports, UT Administration and will be held from November 26-29.
The league will see 160 specially-abled cricketers from India and abroad participate across three categories: visually impaired, hearing impaired, and wheelchair categories.
The first three editions of the league, starting in 2013, were limited to the hearing impaired athletes, with exhibition matches of wheelchair enabled cricketers and visually impaired cricketers being introduced in the 4th edition.
This year officials from the USA, UK, Korea and Germany will be in attendance to witness the league and sign an official agreement for their players to participate in the next edition of the Usha Divyang Cricket League. This edition of the league will see four wheelchair cricket teams and two visually impaired teams participating, in addition to eight hearing impaired cricket teams.
Commenting on the association, Komal Mehra, Head of Sports Initiatives and Associations at Usha International, said: "Usha International has always been committed to support sports at every level and has been inspired by the athletes and specially-abled cricketers. We are proud to be associated with this league that provides the platform for inclusion which is now in its 5th edition and growing from strength to strength. This initiative just goes to show that each one of us can enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle."
( With inputs from IANS )
