Nilokheri, Karnal – March 22, 2025:The Haryana Wheelchair Cricket Association (HWCA) has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative—The Haryana Wheelchair Cricket Tour, a first-of-its-kind campaign to promote wheelchair cricket awareness, talent scouting, and inclusivity across the state. This multi-city tour aims to reach, inspire, and mobilize differently-abled individuals (Divyangs) who aspire to play cricket but have never had the opportunity to showcase their talent.
The tour’s inaugural event was hosted in Karnal at Nilokheri Polytechnic Ground, strategically chosen for its proximity to highways and public transport, ensuring maximum attendance and community involvement. With over 50 new registrations from players across various districts, the event proved to be a resounding success. In this inaugral event in Karnal, players from several districts of Haryana joined to cherish the game of Wheelchair Cricket together. The event started with a meet and greet with all players. A practice drill subsequently followed with two matches were held. Teams were made with players mixed from various districts depending upon the classification rules of wheelchair cricket. For the first match, Haryana Heroes was led by Deepak Chahal from Karnal and Haryana Hunters was led by Dinesh Rana from Sonipat. Haryana Heroes won this match. For second match, Haryana Heroes was led by Ajay Rana from Karnal and Haryana Hunters was led by Mohit Bhardwaj from Sonipat in which Haryana Hunters won by 6 wickets. Ved Pal from Karnal won the Player of the Match in first match and Dinesh Rana from Sonipat bagged the same title in second match. Marvelous shots and calibre were dispayed by all the players on the field. Special chance were given to new players to celebrate the sportsmanship in the gentleman’s game – cricket.
A Vision for Transparent and Inclusive Wheelchair Cricket
Historically, wheelchair cricket in Haryana faced severe management challenges, including biased selections, lack of transparency, and limited opportunities for new players. Many talented individuals were left without a platform due to favoritism and mismanagement. However, under the visionary leadership of HWCA President Shri Anuraag Kashyap, a new era of fairness and discipline has begun.
HWCA is now committed to eradicating partiality and ensuring merit-based selections. The Haryana Wheelchair Cricket Tour is designed to identify raw talent from remote areas and provide them with the proper guidance, training, and mentorship needed to excel at state, national, and international levels.
Activities and Highlights of the Tour
The tour is structured to engage, educate, and empower wheelchair cricketers through multiple activities, including:
- Meet & Greet Sessions – Bringing players, coaches, and cricket enthusiasts together.
- Practice Sessions – Hands-on training from experienced players and mentors.
- Wheelchair Cricket Rules Tutoring – Educating participants about international wheelchair cricket regulations.
- Practice Matches – Allowing new and experienced players to compete, assess their skills, and refine their techniques.
- Community Awareness & Motivational Engagement – Encouraging local residents to support and cheer for differently-abled athletes.
Encouraging Local Talent and Expanding the Reach
With new tour venues lined up across multiple districts, HWCA envisions expanding grassroots sports development in Haryana. The response from players, authorities, and the public has been overwhelmingly positive. Many promising players have already joined the initiative, reinforcing the need for structured, well-managed events to nurture Haryana’s wheelchair cricket talent.
Gratitude to Local Authorities and Supporters
HWCA extends its heartfelt gratitude to local authorities, venue providers, and volunteers for making this initiative a success. The administration of Nilokheri Polytechnic Ground, along with community leaders and local cricket enthusiasts, ensured smooth event execution and enthusiastic participation. Their unwavering support has reinforced the need for continuous efforts to develop adaptive sports in Haryana.
A Call for CSR Partnerships & Sponsorships
Promoting sports among differently-abled individuals requires significant resources, including sports wheelchairs, training equipment, coaching facilities, and event logistics. HWCA calls upon corporations, organizations, and philanthropists to step forward and support wheelchair cricket through CSR funding. Investing in such initiatives not only empowers talented Divyang athletes but also aligns with the larger mission of inclusivity, equality, and social responsibility.
The Road Ahead
HWCA remains committed to building a robust, just, and talent-driven ecosystem for wheelchair cricket in Haryana. With the slogan “Jeet ki Taiyaari Hai, Ab Humari Baari Hai,” HWCA is determined to create equal opportunities for every aspiring wheelchair cricketer in the state.
This tour is just the beginning—many more districts will soon witness the rise of Haryana’s next generation of wheelchair cricket champions. The journey toward a more inclusive, transparent, and thriving wheelchair cricket community has begun, and HWCA invites everyone to be a part of this transformation.
For sponsorship inquiries or to support HWCA’s initiative, please visit our website or contact the HWCA management team.
