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Deaf Cricket Asia Cup 2026 Inaugurated at Barabati Stadium in Odisha

The inaugural Asian Deaf Cricket Association T20I Asia Cup for 2026 has commenced at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha. The tournament was inaugurated by Rishi Pathania, Vice President of Jindal Steel Limited, as the chief guest. It features national teams from India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, aiming to provide a competitive platform for hearing-impaired athletes. ADCA President Sumit Jain emphasized the organization's vision for creating equal opportunities and celebrating deaf athletes across Asia.

Key Points: ADCA T20I Asia Cup 2026 for Deaf Athletes Begins in Cuttack

  • First edition of ADCA T20I Asia Cup
  • Features India, Sri Lanka, Nepal
  • Inaugurated by Rishi Pathania of Jindal Steel
  • Aims to promote cricket for hearing-impaired
  • Supported by corporate CSR partners
2 min read

ADCA inaugurates T20I Asia Cup at Barabati Stadium in Odisha

The inaugural Asian Deaf Cricket Association T20I Asia Cup 2026 kicks off in Odisha, featuring India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, promoting inclusive sports.

"create a Global Platform where Deaf Athletes can compete, Grow and be celebrated with dignity and equality - Sumit Jain, ADCA President"

New Delhi, February 19

The First edition of the Asian Deaf Cricket Association T20I Asia Cup, 2026, kicked off at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, Odisha, with a grand opening ceremony, according to a release from ADCA.

The tournament was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Rishi Pathania, the Vice President of Jindal Steel Limited, marking a significant milestone for the Inaugural Tournament hosted by the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), supported by ODCA and OCA.

The tournament features three national teams -- Sri Lanka, Nepal and India.

Speaking about the tournament, Sumit Jain, President, ADCA, said, " The First edition of the ADCA T20I Asia Cup, 2026, reflects our continued commitment to promoting cricket among hearing-impaired athletes from across Asia. The ADCA was founded with a simple but powerful vision to create a Global Platform where Deaf Athletes can compete, Grow and be celebrated with dignity and equality. We are deeply honoured to have Rishi Pathania as the Chief Guest. I would like to extend my gratitude to Team Sri Lanka, Team Nepal & Team India for being part of this Historic First Edition."

Dedicated to nurturing upcoming sports talent among especially abled athletes, the ADCA T20I Asia Cup, 2026 continues to receive strong support from corporate and institutional partners, reflecting the growing commitment of India's corporate sector towards promoting inclusive sports and creating equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The opening ceremony was attended by a distinguished line-up of Guests of Honour, including Rishi Pathania, Jayanta Kumar Mohanty (Head CSR, Jindal Foundation), Shailesh Rai (TSM Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd.), Kunal Gupta (Asst. Manager CSR, Hero MotoCorp - We care) and Bankim Mohanty (ED cum Secretary, Astha School of Management).

Roma Balwani, CEO, IDCA, commented, "The First edition of the ADCA T20I Asia Cup, 2026, stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of India's decision to establish the Asian Deaf Cricket Association by Sumit Jain, a veteran former hearing-impaired Indian cricketer. As we light the torch of this ADCA T20i Asia Cup, 2026, let this be the beginning of a long and impactful journey that extends to more countries, more tournaments and greater opportunities for deaf Athletes across Asia.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally, a dedicated platform for deaf cricketers! Hats off to Sumit Jain sir and the entire ADCA team. This is true sportsmanship. Hope Doordarshan or a sports channel picks up the broadcast rights so we can all watch and cheer.
A
Aman W
Great event, but only three teams? I understand it's the first edition, but Asia has many more cricket-playing nations. Hope the next edition includes Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to make it a truly continental cup.
S
Sarah B
As someone who works in disability advocacy, this is incredibly significant. Creating these equal opportunities changes lives. Kudos to Jindal, Tata, and Hero for their CSR support. More corporates should follow this lead.
V
Vikram M
Odisha is becoming a real sports hub! After hosting hockey world cups, now this. Proud moment for Cuttack and the state. Let's go, Team India! Bring the cup home. 🇮🇳
K
Kriti O
The spirit is amazing, but I wish there was more hype and media coverage. These athletes deserve the same spotlight as any other international cricket tournament. Hope the finals are packed with spectators!

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