Kudos to the Indian PD Cricket Team from the Union Sports Minister
Ensures ‘Divyang’ athletes receive full government support
The Indian Physical Disability (PD) Cricket Team was honored today by Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya for winning the PD Champions Trophy 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The team showed remarkable skill and tenacity by defeating England in the tournament final.
Supported by the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) and the accessibility group Svayam, the Indian PD Cricket Team received recognition at the Sports Authority of India.
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aim of inclusive sports participation, Dr. Mandaviya underlined the government’s dedication to helping athletes with disabilities. Shri Narendra Modi, the Honorable Prime Minister, has pledged his support for “divyang” athletes. Being a ‘divyang’ person does not preclude you from being a proud citizen. And your triumph is proof of that. From the demanding selection process to the performance in Sri Lanka, the Indian PD Cricket Team’s passion highlights your tremendous strength. “Beating England, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan and winning five of six games is no small accomplishment,” Dr. Mandaviya stated.
More than 450 cricket players from 28 States participated in the Indian PD Cricket Team selection process in Udaipur. Out of the list, 17 were ultimately selected to represent India, and 56 were chosen to compete in the Challenger Trophy in Jaipur.
“Our ‘divyang’ athletes are giving us many reasons to be proud and pushing us to step up our support towards them,” Dr. Mandaviya continued, referring to the rising number of accomplishments brought to the country by the specially-abled athletes, from the Paris Paralympics to the PD Champions Trophy 2025. The government is on your side, and you must use your achievements to motivate other young people on a variety of venues.
The entire team, coaches, Svayam Founder-Chairperson Sminu Jindal, DCCI General Secretary Ravikant Chauhan, and representatives from the Sports Ministry also attended the occasion on Friday.